Minister of Home Affairs and Information Wilfred Abrahams is being urged to move the girls at the centre of conflict within the Government Industrial School (GIS) from any “potentially dangerous situations” rather than awaiting a six-week enquiry.
This has been in the talks for a little while as there is an issue of personal safety for the girls. Apart from the safety issue there is also this reform to make sure that the young girls also get the same education opportunity as the boys.
Women’s rights advocate and former deputy chairman of the Government Industrial School for girls, Dr Marsha Hinds, said yesterday that the minister had the legal power to act now.
Saying she was not against the probe announced on Saturday, Hinds said there was “no need to expend an additional six weeks with another investigation” because there is enough academic literature and letters over the years to provide insights on what the issues were.
Hinds was hopeful the inquiry led by former Deputy Commissioner of Police Oral Williams would lead to changes but was also “pessimistic given the historical overlay of how we have treated to the Government Industrial School”. (MB)
