Uruguayan School Faces Abuse Allegations as Criminal Complaint Looms
Parents of students at School No. 199 in the Colón neighborhood of Montevideo, Uruguay, are preparing to file a criminal complaint against a teacher accused of mistreating students. The allegations surfaced after a video circulated on social media depicting the teacher raising her voice against a student.
Legal Action and Investigation
Rodrigo Rey, the lawyer representing the complaining parents, stated that a criminal complaint with conclusive evidence will be filed in the coming hours. He emphasized the seriousness of the events, clarifying that the situation extends beyond a debate about teacher authority and constitutes ongoing abuse against children who are unable to defend themselves. Rey called for the teacher’s immediate removal from her position and a prohibition on any contact with students as a precautionary measure.
Currently, the case is under investigation by the Primary Inspection, which has implemented a temporary measure requiring the teacher to operate in pedagogical collaboration with the deputy director to ensure students are not left alone with her.
Parental Concerns and Testimonials
Cecilia, a mother of a student at the school, shared that her son is now afraid to attend school due to fear of the teacher. She expressed a desire for the teacher to be replaced. According to Cecilia, while there was no physical aggression towards her son, he experienced instances of pressure, such as being picked up and moved when he didn’t hurry.
Other parents have reported similar concerns, alleging that the teacher engages in practices such as reprimanding students and assigning them to a designated “chair in the hallway” as punishment, causing fear among the children.
Administrative Response
Initially, parents filed a complaint at a police station and were advised to address the issue through the National Administration of Public Education (ANEP). They subsequently brought the matter to the attention of the school administration, who informed them that an investigation was underway and that the teacher would undergo evaluation. The administration assured parents that the teacher would not be left alone with students in the classroom.
School Information
School No. 199 is located in the Colón neighborhood of Montevideo, at César Mayo Gutiérrez 2185. Further statistical information about the school is available on the ANEP website. The school has been operating on a full-time schedule since 1997. More details can be found on the MECAEP website.
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