A FEW years ago, a party of policemen, led by a since retired, high-ranking officer, travelled from New Amsterdam to a West Coast Berbice secondary school, where they arrested a class teacher for an act of carnal knowledge of a female student below the age of consent.

From what is known of the particulars, the alleged offender had been charged and placed before the court; however, the proceedings were aborted and a new preliminary inquiry ordered. He was transferred to a city school, pending the outcome. In August 2012, Justice James Bovell-Drakes discharged the matter. This position by the judge was taken following a ruling by Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang, on August 10, in which he had ruled that paper committals under the 2010 sexual offences act was a breach of one’s constitutional rights.

That was 2012. But even before, there were growing reports of male teachers’ licentious conduct that involved students, which elicited a warning from the Teaching Service Commission that serious measures would be levelled against any member of the profession found to be engaging in such serious misconduct which involved school students.

Fast forward to 2017, and the current sex scandal- making headline of a senior teacher from one of the nation’s traditional premier secondary institutions has once again trained the spotlight on the predatory behaviour of some male teachers that seem to be endemic within sections of the state’s school system, and perhaps within the private domain, as well.

Teachers, many moons ago, were held in esteem throughout Guyana. In their communities, they were seen as persons of great learning, even wisdom, so much so that matters of dispute were often brought before these esteemed persons for adjudication. Among their many social roles/responsibilities were as adjudicators of disputes; reading letters for the illiterate; custodians of important documents for villagers; chairing village functions; and being God-parents to many. They were also prized matrimonial catches for many a young lady.

Like the rogue policemen, some teachers have also fallen from this once esteemed profession because of the repeated complaints of sexual deviancy against them. This is indeed very tragic for a profession whose members are key in moulding those in their charge.

Every alleged accused is perceived as innocent unless otherwise proven. However, these allegations surrounding this senior educator, if true on investigation will, from known memory, reveal the biggest scandal to have ever emerged from the state’s school system.
To read of a male educator allegedly sexually molesting, and grooming female students; sexualisation of lessons; inappropriate conversations with students, and of cover-ups of such serious allegations, beckon to an unheard-of scale of sexual deviancy in the state’s school system, in all its sordid forms.

If, as is alleged, that this has been his track record for the past 10 years at the school in question, apart from others where he had taught, then this individual must face an inquiry and if found guilty, be made to suffer the full consequences as prescribed under the Sexual Offences Act of 2010.

This must also extend to those of his superiors, since many school heads are alleged to have protected such sexual molesters for the sole reason of guarding the reputations of their schools. The fact that the most senior state officials have been alerted, points to the gravity of this particular incident, and the expectation of prompt action that must begin.

Our young female students, as well as male, must be protected against this scourge. This is in addition to all those senior educators, who have been shielding these degenerates, must also be removed. The Sexual Offences Act of 2010 is clear on these offences.