TTUTA: Methodist teacher at centre of controversy a free man

TTUTA’s second vice president Curla Robertson says the San Fernando Methodist School teacher, who is at the centre of a controversy involving parents who are protesting his presence at the school, is free to take up duties since there are no charges pending against him.

She said unless something else happens or fresh accusations are made to start a process all over again, the teacher who had a sexual molestation charge against him discharged, will have to stay put.

Education Minister Anthony Garcia said responsibility for effecting a transfer lies with the Teaching Service Commission. He has advised the school’s parent teachers association to take their concerns to their school and the chairman of the commission.

The association’s president Darren Medford said the letter was drafted on Thursday evening and delivered to chairman Fyzal Ali yesterday.

The commission is scheduled to meet next Wednesday and this is reportedly one of the issues on the agenda.

The teacher’s return to school on Monday sparked protest and a day of rest and relaxation.

Teachers and parents of students attending the Mon Chagrin Street, school said they are uncomfortable with his return. The teacher appeared before a San Fernando magistrate on a charge of sexually molesting a 13-year-old student at his school three yeas ago.

However the child migrated to the United States, causing the matter to be aborted.

Robertson said yesterday the minister can make some sort of recommendation, but questioned what recommendation he can make in this matter.

“Technically, the teacher has not been found guilty. The matter was discharged because nobody was complaining, and without that, he could not have been found guilty or not guilty in a court of law.”