Former school teacher Shenal Lal

A teacher whose sentence is under review by the High Court was reminded by State that she is an educated woman.

Defense counsel argues former school teacher Shenal Lal will understand the charges laid against her and she knows her rights as well.

Lal is challenging her sentence, claiming she was instructed by a Magistrate from the Rakiraki Court to enter a guilty plea for her offense.

Lal was charged with one count of assault causing actual bodily harm.

She had hit a class one student, in May last year and as a result, the student had sustained injuries.

A complaint was filed against her by the child’s family and she was charged and this is where Lal claims that the learned Magistrate told her to plead guilty so that the matter could be resolved and that she will be given lower sentence.

The accused was given a non-conviction sentence under the law, meaning, the offense is not on her record.

However, the accused is now saying that the plea is equivocal and is contesting her sentence.

Defense counsel argued that Lal lost her job because of her initial plea.

The state told the court that the Education Ministry has zero tolerance against child abuse and that teachers cannot assault a student or perform corporal punishment.

Chief Justice Anthony Gates will issue a notice for the next court hearing.