A male primary school student is alleging that he has been badly beaten by his teacher and she has been since sent on leave pending an investigation into the matter.

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand confirmed to Demerara Waves Online News (www.demwaves.com ) that a probe has been launched and the findings would be sent to the Teaching Service Commission (TSC).

However, the 11-year old boy’s mother, Sharda Persaud, said she does not want the teacher to lose her job but be warned to desist from inflicting such blows on children in the future. The teacher, Ama Smith, sources said, “broke down in tears” and apologized during a meeting at the Region Four Education Department, Triumph.

The Grade Six student, who is preparing for ‘Common Entrance’ examination, alleged that on Wednesday, he was beaten by a teacher of the Enterprise Primary School, East Coast Demerara.

Persaud said her son related that he was given at least six lashes on his buttock and feet with a piece of bamboo.

According to the mother, her son told her that he had been looking at three children who were fighting. He was accidentally hit and he retaliated by kicking a boy.

The boy told his mother that he was subsequently called and one teacher chucked him into the office and Smith allegedly lashed him. “I am not against getting him getting lashes but not so severe,” said Persaud. The woman said she lodged complaints at a police station and the Region Four Education Department. She also obtained a Medical Certificate from a nearby health centre to substantiate her case.

The Minister of Education used the opportunity to warn teachers against breaching the protocol that only head teachers or someone “fully designated” by the head teacher should administer corporal punishment.

“I want to take this opportunity to warn that anyone breaching the rules will deal with (him or her) condignly,” said Manickchand, a Caribbean-trained lawyer.

She said this latest alleged incident should be used as a spring-board to rekindle public debate and formal consultations on the thorny issue of corporal punishment.

Asked how she felt about this allegation, the former Human Services Minister expressed disgust and pain at what the child claimed has transpired. “I was very angry that we would have such a blatant breach of very clear policy.

“I am very hurt that one of our children, who we should be looking after and taking care of, has been subjected to beyond normal punishment,” she said.