CENTRAL Corentyne Secondary School student La Toya Poole, has made an allegation that she was  pushed, repeatedly, into a wall by her teacher, after she did not heed to the latter’s call, immediately.
The 15-year-old girl said the incident resulted in her having to receive three stitches in her head.
She was in company with her aunt, Lorna Hope and they had just left the Department of Education Office in Philadelphia Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice, when the media caught up with them.
The upper right side of La Toya’s white shirt collar was blood soaked and spots were visible on her neck and vest.
Speaking about the incident, which, she said, occurred just after 08:30 hrs on Monday morning, the teen said she was standing in the corridor, just after the school bell rang and another teacher requested that she get the keys for the Information Technology (IT) laboratory.
She was attempting to do the errand when the accused teacher called her, held on to her shirt and hair, then hit her head against the wooden and meshed wall.
La Toya complained: ”She said I am a ‘passa passa’ girl and asked me if I want to fight. I said no. Then I ran to my class, picked up my bag and hurried home.”
Hope said she burst into tears when she saw her niece’s bloodstained clothes.
She added: ”I got very angry. I wanted to go to the school but was advised to go to Whim (Police) Station, where I made a report, instead.”
According to the guardian, she was further advised to visit the Department of Education where another report was made to the School Welfare Officer, who promised to investigate the matter.
When contact was made with the Education Office in New Amsterdam, the Guyana Chronicle was told that the Regional Education Officer, Ms. Shaifran Bhajan was attending a meeting in Georgetown.
However, an officer attached to the Schools Welfare Department acknowledged receipt of the complaint and said statements will be taken from witnesses shortly.
Meanwhile, La Toya was unable to attend school during the first week because of financial constraints. The fourth of eight children, she lives at Alness, Corentyne. Her mother has left the village to seek work, while her father’s whereabouts are unknown.