Zach Churchill says meeting with a student involved in an altercation with a teacher would go against the department’s HR policies.
The Education Minister made the comment in regards to a story we did in partnership with CBC News last week about an altercation between a teacher and student at Bayview Community School.
Churchill says he declined to meet with Amy Bennett and her family because the appropriate people are already working to respond to the situation.
Amy Bennett and her family are concerned she may have permanent hearing loss after an incident last June where she was yelled at by her gym teacher for three straight minutes.
Zach Churchill says Amy Bennett, her family and the public can be assured that wrongdoing was found as a result of the investigation.
The education minister condemned the actions of the teacher and says appropriate disciplinary action was taken.
“But this was wrong. This should not have happened and it’s an embarrassment to the system that it did.”
Churchill says he understands the family would like to know more but the department must adhere to its HR policies.
“And there’s rational behind that. But I understand why that can be frustrating, particularly for parents of a student who was treated this way. I would feel the same way.”
He says the appropriate staff have scheduled a meeting with the Bennetts today and are working to respond to the situation.
Reported by: Ed Halverson
Twitter: @edwardhalverson
E-mail: halverson.ed@radioabl.ca
