Last night you heard from Evangelina Alamilla, the Orange Walk mother who says that her son's principal bullied and humiliated him in front of the school assembly because of his long hair. The Principal didn't have anything to say yesterday, but today in Orange Walk she and her school manager held a press conference to say that the events categorized as bullying have been mis-represented:
Cherly Distan - Principal, Solomon SDA
"The child in question is actually a young man of 13 years who is in standard 4. He has been told in private numerous times that the hairstyle he sports is not appropriate. Yes he was mentioned by name at assembly as were other students. He was asked that after assembly to kindly fix his hair at a washbasin, sometime later that morning it was brought to my attention that the young man was non-compliant. I asked him to accompany me to the basin so I can personally see it that he follows the instruction given. He accompanied me to the basin area where he proceeded to wet his hands and rub it in his hair to enhance a peak like style that he wears. I asked him to kindly bring the peak like piece down to fall in place with the rest of his hair. He persisted in pushing his hands to enhance the peak like part of the front portion of his hair, I then wet my hand and brought his hair around to fall in place with the rest of his hair, it fell in place rather effortlessly; later that day sometime after one his mom came to school accusing me of undue discipline on the part of her son never allowing me the opportunity to explain what actually happened. I need to reiterate, I did not wash the young man's hair that has been portrayed in the news and even via the internet. Also at no time was he asked to cut his hair. He was not targeted nor bullied, the task of a school leader is vast and daunting at time when gratitude seem to be non-existent. Some questions I have for the community at large including MOE are: How does rights and responsibility factor into this scenario? Is the running of the school being transmitted to the hands of parents who crucify educators?"
Juan Jose Montano - Local Manager - Solomon SDA
"Also we will like to say to the general public that an independent commission has been appointed to further investigate this matter and a full report will be given to our management and forwarded to the Ministry of Education."
The Chairman stressed that the principal has a long and distinguished career and pending the outcome of the investigation she will continue to hold he post with the full support of management…
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