THERE seems to be no end to the regular incidents of sexual offences, albeit in the form of carnal knowledge, as occasioned by the recent shocking allegation of such conduct brought against a West Coast Berbice educator, who has since been arraigned before the court, and subsequently remanded. This latest case, needless to say, has shocked the nation, particularly since it involves a teacher. Not the first time that such a professional has been accused of such a crime. A number of them have had their services terminated, charged, and judicially sanctioned. Awaiting for his day in court on a similar offence is none other than the prior president of the Guyana Teachers Union. 
But I must divert to a reported statement on Channel 65, emitted by the current GTU head, Colin Bynoe, in which he is reported have strongly denounced the police squad, led by Commander Merai, arresting the alleged offender at his West Berbice school positing that such action would have traumatized the school population.
Certainly, it is Bynoe’s duty to defend the rights of his union members. I am sure that was his promise that won the leadership. But there are some things that Bynoe must appreciate.
Firstly, apart from the fact that the law enforcement agencies must act promptly, which they did in this instance; it is their right to pursue and apprehend any suspect wherever he/she may be.
Secondly, given the fact of the epidemic levels of sexual deviancy in the nation, and the peculiar practice of flight of many of its suspects, the presence of the Berbice police commander in this instance, underlines the seriousness with which this type of criminality is viewed.
Thirdly, has he forgotten the reasons for the Stamp it Out campaign, and the resultant sweeping legislation emanating from such a nationwide effort?  It is as a result of such deviant acts as what his union member now stands accused.
Fourthly, to allege traumatisation of the school populace is easy to say. Maybe there is some substance in Bynoe’s claim. But what about the trauma that the young, under-aged victim is experiencing? What about the alleged perpetrator bringing into disrepute the time honoured tenets for which this profession has been known, recognised and respected. Far from being traumatized, I am sure that the students must have been happy at the sight of the alleged predator being taken away.
Fifthly, the GTU head must impress upon his male members particularly, that their role as educators is to mould the nation’s children in the classroom along scholastic lines and not in any other undesirable form, or elsewhere; and that any such conduct is a departure from agreed custom and practice, hence a betrayal of trust, as seemingly is the case with the West Coast Berbice educator.
Sixthly, given the many credible reports of allegations of immoral conduct against many of his male union members, and subsequent sanctions – what has Bynoe done in terms of correcting this most unprofessional of acts?  Has he ever addressed this illegal conduct with his male membership?