Probe launched into abuse of students at David Rose Special Needs School

May 30, 2026 News

(Kaieteur News) – The Ministry of Education has launched an investigation into the abuse of students at the David Rose Special Needs School in Georgetown following the viral circulation of a camera footage showing the teachers beating the children.

Two teachers have since been placed on administrative leave from Friday.

Minister of Education, Sonia Parag, announced that both educators seen in the video were placed on administrative leave and a probe launched. The minister said the investigation is being spearheaded by the ministry’s Welfare Unit and Special Education Needs Department and are mandated to submit reports ad recommendations by Monday, June 1, 2026.

Minister Parag visited the institution on Friday morning to meet directly with the affected students’ family, the Head Teacher, and staff. Expressing profound apologies to the families for the distress and pain caused, Parag reaffirmed the government’s strict zero-tolerance policy regarding student mistreatment.

“No child should ever be subjected to such treatment, particularly within a school environment entrusted with their care, development and protection. Our children with special educational needs, as all children do, deserve patience, compassion, dignity and love. They deserve to learn in spaces where they feel safe, supported and valued,” the minister said.

The Minister warned that decisive action will be taken against anyone found to be directly or indirectly involved, noting that the ministry’s disciplinary procedures, and potentially legal consequences, will be pursued depending on the findings. To address systemic gaps in accountability, the Ministry of Education has also fast-tracked the creation of a dedicated governing body for the school to ensure such a breach of trust is never repeated within the education system.

On Friday afternoon, Minister Parag and Permanent Secretary Shannielle Hoosein-Outar met with senior education officials, including Volika Jaikishun, Head of the School Board Secretariat, Dr. Keon Chung, Assistant Chief Education Officer for Special Education Needs and Development, and Tiffanny Harvey, Deputy Chief Education Officer for Administration. The meeting advanced the establishment of a Board of Governors for the institution, which will be formally appointed and installed in the coming week.

According to the ministry, this new Board of Governors will comprise both parents and professionals experienced in the area of special education needs. The primary mandate of the board will be to strengthen supervision, accountability, parental engagement, and student welfare at the institution.

While promising that the government will exert the full extent of its authority to address the matter, the Ministry of Education has urged the public to remain patient and mindful of fairness as the active investigation runs its course. Officials emphasized that adherence to due process is necessary to ensure the final findings and outcomes are comprehensive, final, and just.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

abuse, David Rose Special Needs School, special needs, Student abuse

Latest News