Minister Allicock responds to Mae’s School incident

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DPI, GUYANA, Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Minister of Ingenious Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock has expressed dissatisfaction with the decision by Mae’s Primary School, to refuse entry to one of its students wearing a traditional indigenous costume for a culture day event.

“It is something I would not have expected since we are embarking upon social cohesion and unifying of the country. We are a multi-ethnic, multi-racial community and we should be more understanding and respectful for the citizens of the country… however we have the relevant authorities addressing this as I speak.”  The minister was today speaking to media operatives on the sidelines of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources at the National Assembly.

On May 25, Joshua Chacon was refused entry to the school’s premises, after his traditional attire was deemed inappropriate, despite it being in keeping with the school’s suggestion to wear attire reflective of his culture.

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, yesterday, called on the institution to apologise to Chacon for “subjecting him to such an upsetting experience.”

She said, “I think they should have thought it through and viewed it [attire] as his culture and explained its significance to the other students who may not have understood.  They should have taken the opportunity to teach the children about the indigenous culture.”

The refusal to allow the student into the school’s premises sparked a protest in front of Mae’s school, on Monday, that saw the participation of Rights activists, NGO’s and other citizens and the boy’s mother Karen Small.

 

By: Neola Damon

Image by Keno George.