Tribunal to probe dragging of schoolgirl by childcare workers

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud has confirmed that a tribunal was commissioned to investigate the actions of the two Child Care and Protection Agency officers who were seen in a video dragging a school girl.

The officers has since been sent on administrative leave pending the outcome of the invesitgaiton.

“A tribunal has been constituted and the officers have provided reports so we are gathering all of that. That team or that committee of persons will listen to the officers and they will compile a report and that will be provided for subsequent action,” Dr Persaud told the News Room on Thursday.

The tribunal is expected to review the reports submitted by the officers and provide findings that will guide any further action by the ministry.

Providing an update on the investigation, Dr Persaud said the ministry moved swiftly after the video was brought to its attention.

“After the video was brought to the ministry’s attention there was immediate action because the ministry and the Child Care and Protection Agency believe that the rights of children must be protected,” the minister said, while adding that “children must be safe from harm and abuse.”

Dr. Persaud noted that the footage immediately raised several concerns within the ministry.

“That video raised a lot of red flags and questions for us and the immediate action involved the officers being sent on administrative leave,” she explained.

Given the seriousness of the incident, the Guyana Police Force has also been informed.

“Because of the seriousness of the incident the Guyana Police Force was informed,” Dr Persaud noted, while assuring that the ministry has taken steps to ensure all procedures and protocols are followed during the investigation.

Dr. Persaud also highlighted that the ministry has established protocols that must be strictly followed by officers of the Child Care and Protection Agency.

“I want to make it clear there are protocols that the ministry has… the Child Care and Protection Agency will have based on our legislation and our policy and these are things that should be followed stringently,” she stated, adding that officers receive continuous training.

She also referenced the ministry’s ‘Street Light’ programme, through which officers conduct daily outreach.

“The Street Light programme was started where officers go out every day, three times daily to ensure children are in school, not getting in trouble or being in circumstances where they can be at risk,” Dr Persaud said.