Parag’s Breach of Trust

Feb 13, 2026 Editorial, News

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(Kaieteur News) – The recent actions of Minister of Education Sonia Parag have raised alarming questions about the limits or lack thereof of power wielded by those in high office.

During last week’s parliamentary budget debate, Parag publicly disclosed the personal attendance record of Member of Parliament and teacher, Gordon Barker in an attempt to rebut his critique of the education sector. What she presented as a defense of accountability was, in reality, a crass and politically motivated attack on an individual’s private life—an abuse of office that should concern every Guyanese citizen.

Barker’s so-called “infractions” were hardly habitual lateness, as Parag insinuated. On the very days she cited, Barker explained that he was attending to the needs of his newborn child and his other young children, all below the age of six. This is hardly the behaviour of an irresponsible public servant; it is the conduct of a father balancing professional duty with family responsibility. Yet Parag chose to weaponise this information, exposing confidential records for public consumption in a blatant effort to embarrass and discredit him.

The Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) was swift and unequivocal in its condemnation. In a statement, the union described Parag’s actions as “vile, disrespectful, and politically motivated,” emphasising that no teacher, regardless of political persuasion, should be subjected to such treatment. The GTU warned that such breaches of confidential information set a dangerous precedent, undermining both the dignity of the teaching profession and the integrity of parliamentary proceedings. Indeed, if the Minister of Education, whose duty is to safeguard the welfare and professionalism of teachers can flout these basic ethical boundaries, then ordinary Guyanese have every reason to fear for their privacy.

Parag’s response to the criticism was predictable, yet no less troubling. She denied any breach of confidentiality, framing her actions as legitimate scrutiny of an elected official’s conduct. According to her, parliamentary debate naturally involves accountability and transparency, and her comments were aimed at improving educational standards. But this argument collapses under the weight of common sense. Barker was performing his role as a teacher at the time, and the disclosure of sensitive information from his personal attendance record had nothing to do with policy, pedagogy, or public service delivery. It was a personal attack masquerading as professional oversight.

The problem extends beyond Barker or the teaching profession. This episode highlights a disturbing trend in which public officials appear to believe that access to personal information equates to political ammunition. It is a chilling reminder that ordinary citizens, whose private data may reside in government databases, could one day find their own personal affairs exposed for political or personal vendetta. A minister’s office is not a playground for settling scores. It is meant to serve the public interest, safeguard sensitive information and respect the fundamental rights of every citizen. Parag’s actions betray all three responsibilities.

Moreover, the justification she offered, “accountability and transparency” rings hollow. Accountability is a cornerstone of governance, yes, but it is meaningless if it requires the violation of privacy. True transparency in a parliamentary democracy does not involve dragging personal circumstances into the political arena for ridicule or punishment. It involves policies, programmes and performance that serve the nation, not personal attacks disguised as oversight. By conflating personal data with public accountability, Parag has debased both concepts, undermining public trust and threatening the moral authority of her office.

The GTU’s demand for a formal apology is not merely symbolic; it is a necessary corrective to an abuse of power that could otherwise go unchallenged. It is also a reminder to every Guyanese that the protection of personal information cannot be left to the discretion of officials who may prioritise political gain over ethics. The teaching profession, often underappreciated and underpaid, deserves more than to be dragged into the mud of partisan politics. Teachers shape the future of the nation; they must not fear that their personal lives can be weaponised against them.

Sonia Parag’s actions are not just an embarrassment; they are a warning. If a minister can so cavalierly disclose confidential information under the guise of parliamentary debate, ordinary citizens are vulnerable. If a teacher-turned-MP can be publicly shamed for fulfilling familial obligations, every citizen’s privacy is at risk. The public must demand accountability not only from elected officials but from the ministers who oversee them. Privacy, dignity, and respect for personal boundaries cannot be optional in a democracy—they are fundamental rights that protect every Guyanese from the arbitrary use of power.

In the end, this is about more than one MP or one minister. It is about the principles that govern public office and the trust that binds citizens to their government. By exploiting confidential records for political theater, Sonia Parag has not only disrespected Gordon Barker and the teaching profession but has also jeopardised the confidence of ordinary Guyanese in the institutions that are meant to serve them. Accountability cannot come at the cost of decency. Transparency cannot come at the cost of privacy. And in a nation that prides itself on democratic values, the breach of either is unacceptable.

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• Breach of Trust, Editorial, Gordon Barker, Minister of Education, Sonia Parag

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