… Calls for national conversation on acceptable social standards

THE Administration of Mae’s Schools said clear guidelines were provided for its Culture Day as it refuted claims of discrimination against a child who had dressed in an indigenous wear. The school is also calling for a national conversation on what are acceptable social standards.

In a statement, hours after the mother of Joshua Chacon and members of the indigenous community picketed the school; Mae’s said students were verbally informed of the dress code ahead of the May 25, 2018 Culture Day. “Closer to the event each class was verbally briefed on the activity. Each class pulled from a bowl what ethnicity they would represent.

Approximately one-sixth of our student population was to portray the Amerindian culture, one-sixth African, etc. All children were told that plain t-shirts and tights/shorts should be worn under clothes that would otherwise expose them,” the school said in a statement.
According to the school, Chacon’s class was expected to dress as Portuguese. Mae’s said when the nine-year-old arrived at the school dressed in a traditional indigenous wear with his mother Karen Small, they were informed at the gate that there may be an issue on the basis that he was exposed.

Nonetheless, he was allowed to enter the school as is. “The student then ascended the stairs to continue to his classroom. However, we speculated that he may have been subjected to gawking by students, because shortly after he exited the school building and met with his mother, who helped him don a t-shirt already in her possession,” the school said.

However, the school’s administration refuted all claims that the teachers including the head teacher informed Small that her son’s attire was inappropriate.
“At no point was any teacher engaged on this issue either by the child or his mother. The child settled into his classes without incident. There was no crying or other discernible upset displayed by him that warranted the attention of the class teacher, head teacher or administration of the school then or at any other time throughout the school day,” the school said.

The administration said it is regrettable that the student is made the subject of national headlines, while maintaining that it has never and will never engage in discriminatory behaviour.

“We recognise that our first duty is to look after the best interest of the children we serve. We are particularly conscious of fostering social cohesion and encouraging children to be proud of their heritage, as well as learning of the different ethnicities that make us one Guyanese family, hence the willingness to host Culture Day.

“There is, however, no clear-cut national policy that is consistently enforced on what is acceptable in terms of exposure for both boys and girls when representing our very diverse culture, especially in this climate where gender equality is being promoted, and specifically in a school environment,” Mae’s said.

However, it said the incident lends itself to a larger discussion amongst schools and government entities about what truly is the acceptable social standard in the evolving country.

Small and indigenous organisations in Guyana have called for Mae’s to issue a public apology. It is clear that, that apology will not be issued now that the school’s administration is discrediting the reports made by Small.