Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath said a zero-tolerance approach continues to be applied to serious acts of violence and threats to student safety.
At yesterday’s sitting of Parliament, at the Red House, Port of Spain, he made the comment while responding to a question from Opposition MP Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, who referenced video footage of the beating of a male student in Chaguanas earlier this week.
She asked whether the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) had been formally engaged in the matter and what action had been taken against the students who participated in the beating.
Dowlath said the Ministry of Education received a preliminary report from Chaguanas South Secondary School regarding the incident shown in the video footage, and he had been advised that the school formally engaged the Chaguanas Community Police and that the matter is before the police for investigation.
He said with respect to the students who participated in the beating, the school has commenced its internal disciplinary process, and written statements have been obtained from the students involved and eyewitnesses.
Further, he said the parents of the students involved have been contacted for a conference at the school.
He said the school has also been directed to convene disciplinary hearings in accordance with the ministry’s policies and the National School Code of Conduct, following which appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.
Dowlath said the ministry will continue to monitor the matter to ensure that the disciplinary process is completed and that the school continues to cooperate with the TTPS.
Additional measures
Gadsby-Dolly also asked what additional measures are being implemented by the Ministry of Education to address escalating levels of school violence, bullying, and gang-related violence in secondary schools.
The minister said the ministry has revised and strengthened the National School Code of Conduct, including clearer provisions related to violence, bullying, cyberbullying, gang-related behaviour, weapons, and serious misconduct.
“A zero-tolerance approach continues to be applied to serious acts of violence and threats to student safety,” he added.
Dowlath said the Police in Schools Programme continues in 51 high-risk secondary schools, supported by additional police patrols and inter-agency collaboration where required.
Additionally, he said the Student Support Services Division continues to provide counselling, behavioural interventions, psychosocial support, conflict resolution support, and referrals for at-risk students.
Schools are also being supported with behavioural management strategies, restorative practices, and conflict intervention measures, he said.
Dowlath said the ministry continues to work closely with parents and school communities to strengthen student supervision, discipline, and early intervention.
Data on student discipline and suspensions continue to be monitored to guide interventions and the deployment of support services, he concluded.
