One month after a woman was charged for wounding a University of Guyana student, who is a classmate of her husband, she was this morning released on $30,000 bail for assaulting a teacher attached to the Winfer Gardens Primary School.
Forty-two-year-old Charmain Mendonca of 330 Grove Housing Scheme and Youlanda Jackson both appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
The first charge stated that on November 27, 2019, at Winfer Gardens Primary School at East Street Georgetown, Mendonca unlawfully and maliciously wounded Jackson, a teacher at the Winfer Gardens Primary School.
It was further alleged that on the same day and at the same location, Jackson assaulted Mendonca so as to cause her actual bodily harm.
Both women denied the charges.
According to information, on the day in question, at around 08:30 hrs Jackson reported to school for duty when she was approached by Mendonca who accused her of hitting her child who is attending the school. It was reported that Jackson denied having any knowledge of the incident.
She then attempted to walk away from Mendonca who allegedly armed herself with a board eraser and dealt her several lashes to her forehead. The women ended up in a scuffle which caught the attention of other teachers who attempted to make peace.
The injured teacher was taken to a City hospital where she received several stitches to her wounds. The matter was then reported and both parties were charged for assaulting each other.
While Police Prosecutor, Delon Sullivan did not object to bail being granted to the women, he disclosed that Jackson received multiple lacerations to her forehead, neck and wrist. Mendonca, on the other hand, received abrasions to her left hand.
The Magistrate, after listening to both sides, released Mendonca on $30,000 bail. Jackson was admitted to bail in the sum of $20,000.
They were both instructed to make their next court appearance on January 29. Mendonca, after being charged, spoke with court reporters.
The woman stated, “I am here this morning because the path that parents and teachers have to take is very unfortunate. The relationship between teachers and parents should remain cordial; but is not.”
“Because for decades our children’s voices were never heard,” she added.
The woman added that children have been pushed aside, ignored and no one has ever taken the time to listen to their cries for help
against victimization, abuse and bullying meted out against them by teachers in school.
Mendonca went on to tell reporters that children have been emotionally traumatized which hinder their learning.
She added, “We need justice for our traumatized and mentally broken children who are defenseless against these bullies we call teachers.”
She continued by saying that never has a teacher been charged for brutalizing and abusing children.
“Not one of our children voices was ever heard and I will go down with my life being an advocate for all of Guyana’s children. No child must be abused by our teachers at our schools.” She urged children to speak out against violence.
She also mentioned that teachers should regard children ‘s psychological and emotional well being and stop abusing them.
“Our entire public system needs reforming. They need training,” she concluded.
