Even as the issue of corporal punishment remains in suspension mode in the National Assembly, the Ministry of Education remains steadfast in embracing the practice in the school system.Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, at a recent press conference,Cheap Stitched MLB Jerseys, said, “The Ministry’s policy on corporal punishment hasn’t changed…it is allowed in school.”Minister of Education, Priya ManickchandHowever, she asserted that the use of corporal punishment in the school system is governed by regulated written policies that are in place.But the Ministry is ready and willing to be guided by the decision of Parliament on the matter, she added.She said that although the National Assembly, at a Tripartite Level, is looking at Corporal Punishment, generally there is specific attention being paid to the issue as it relates to the school system.“This therefore means that all of the parliamentary parties are tasked with sitting around the table deciding what is best for Guyana as we go forward,Cheap NFL Jerseys China,” said Manickchand.Additionally,NFL Jerseys From China, she said that comments and views of individual members of the public and/or organisations are encouraged to help chart the way forward.According to Chief Education Officer (CEO), Olato Sam, the input of teachers is also very important to the process. “Teachers’ opinion,wholesale jerseys china, thoughts and ideas have been factored into decisions but specifically in this one they play a key role,” he said.“The compromise position we struck a number of years ago had to do with the wide array of feelings and opinions on this (Corporal Punishment).”“I think people need to appreciate that we can’t just look at this on one level but my position has always been that this is a national issue, not just a school issue,” said Sam.He explained that since such decisions will have implications for how children will be treated in the general society it is imperative that the attitude about corporal punishment takes into consideration, parents’ views and emotions as well.Sam said that several consultations on the issue have in fact produced varied opinions even as he emphasised the importance of collaboration not only with teachers and parents but the Parliament as well as international partners.“The Ministry does not exist in isolation so all of these things have to be collectively considered when these decisions are being made,” the CEO outlined.In the interim though, Minister Manickchand said that head teachers as well as teachers are required to comply with the existing Ministry policy which outlines that children should not be beaten merely to ensure that the environment is conducive for learning.According to Manickchand, “We have specific cases when corporal punishment could be inflicted, specific instruments that can be used and who should administer those blows.”The issue of corporal punishment has over the past few years spurred much discussions and emotions which were especially emphasised in 2009 when a Berbice teacher was accused of breaching the Ministry’s rules detailed in a document entitled ‘Maintenance of Order and Discipline in Schools/Alternative Forms of Punishment.’The document categorically states,Cheap Jerseys Outlet, inter alia, that only a head-teacher can administer corporal punishment to students, or identify a senior teacher to so administer punishment in his or her presence.This procedure was however not heeded by the teacher.According to Shaik Baksh, the then Minister of Education,Cheap China NFL Jerseys, the move of the teacher was viewed by the Ministry as a fundamental breach, and therefore required disciplinary measures being taken by the Teaching Services Commission.