Parents Demonstrate in Support of Penalized Teachers

This morning, Corozal Methodist School experienced a sickout after two teachers were placed on administrative leave and eight others called in sick. The situation escalated on Tuesday when preschool teachers Julie Castro and Stacy Chi received letters informing them that they were not to return to school until May 27th. The letters accused the teachers of professional misconduct and spreading misinformation among parents. News Five’s Britney Gordon was on the scene this morning to gather more details on the unfolding controversy.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

“Bring our teachers back” This morning, protesters gathered outside Corozal Methodist School, holding signs expressing their displeasure. These protesters are parents of children attending the Methodist preschool, upset over the recent suspension of two teachers. Earlier this week, preschool teachers Julie Castro and Stacy Chi received letters placing them on administrative leave. The letters accused them of repeatedly disregarding lawful instructions and directives from the school’s administration. However, according to the parents, the teachers are simply standing up for their rights and the rights of their children.

 

Voice of: Disgruntled Parent

“They were escorted from the school with police. And we do not see it. Fear the teachers were standing up for us, for our children. And on the decision making of graduation, which I believe is something not too exaggerating. And that’s the reason why we are here. It’s not only the preschool teachers, there are other teachers who are being victimized and well, I have kids not only in preschool, but I have kids in other classes, and I have seen it and it’s unfair.”

 

 

 

According to parents, the conflict at Corozal Methodist School escalated when teachers Julie Castro and Stacy Chi helped organize a graduation meeting to discuss details like the color scheme and preferred dates. However, the principal insisted that such decisions should come solely from her office. In a message sent to a group chat, parents were informed that the graduation date is set for June 13th at 1:30 p.m., just three and a half hours before the standard six graduation. This decision has fueled the ongoing dispute, leading to a protest by parents who support the teachers’ efforts to involve them in the planning process.

 

 

Voice of: Disgruntled Parent

“We are not agreeing with the date. She want the graduation to be along with the standard six graduation, which we refuse as the parents. It’s our money. We decide we want to have a decision in this graduation. We don’t want it with the standard sixth graduation. We believe that they want their own separate graduation date, which they can have time with their fellow classmates and they can enjoy, take pictures. I had an experience, which my son graduated from standard six and my daughter graduated from preschool, it was a  clash because I had to run out. I couldn’t take any pictures with my child. I still do not have any pictures because I had to hurry, rush out, get my son ready, and get back for the other graduation.”

 

 

Parents at Corozal Methodist School are voicing their frustrations, alleging that the principal has frequently denied them the opportunity to speak with teachers and visit their children. Barbara Acosta, whose grandchild attends the school, claims that the principal has been difficult to deal with since the school year began.

 

Barbara Acosta, Disgruntled Parent

“ When school started, I brought my grandson. My grandson is someone that don’t eat from anyone, so I brought his lunch and the principal told me that I cannot eat on the school ground with my grandson. She put us to eat on the seaside. Then ney di  talk about healthiness and, and good whatever they want, say that is not right. We have a school yard. We pay for that. We pay our school fees. Then now stimulation month. She noh do nothing, nothing to help us. We, the parents and grandparents had to put out to help the teachers. Now she put the teachers on leave. That is not right. We want Methodist to come back where it is. Either she go and let our teachers to come back.”

 

 

One parent explains that she does not feel that her children are well taken care of by the principal. Alleging that her six-year-old child was once left unattended in a room without medication after she ran a fever.

 

Voice of: Disgruntled Parent

“Locked her up in a isolated room. I don’t know if they have a clinic there that she has authority to, to build a isolation room to, to put children. She locked my six-year-old up in the room with high fever, did not have any supervision because nobody was there to see if the child would collapse if she would convulse because it’s fever. I told them if they can kindly give her medication till I reach, because I sent the taxi to get my child. She refused to put the child in a taxi. So I said, can you administer medication? The  vice principal told me, no, she’s not authorized. I say, I am the mother and I am authorizing you.”

 

The letters sent to the teachers allege that they repeatedly and flagrantly acted with disregard and in contravention to lawful instructions. orders and or directives given by the administrators. It further reads quote, “During the administrative leave and the formal investigation, you are barred from performing duties as a teacher and in any way whatsoever meddling with the investigation, including communicating with the students, parents and teachers affiliated with the school. At the conclusion, you will be either notified of charge(s) or immediately reinstated without prejudice to your post. You will receive your full salary whilst you are on administrative leave”, end quote.

 

 

Britney Gordon

“Has she tried having any meetings with you parents and your teachers?”

 

Barabara Acosta

“No meetings.  She only had one meeting. Beg, beg, beg, beg, beg beg. Like the siren. A wa wa wa, that’s all she do. Stimulation month. Never show up. But when she want something ih hurry, wa wa wa that no go so.”

 

News Five contacted the school for a response but was told that the principal would not be commenting on the situation at this time. Britney Gordon for News Five.