Police yesterday arrested a 20-year-old man after he stormed into the Scarborough RC School armed with a knife and sexually assaulted a nine-year-old student.
According to police, around 1.30 pm the man walked into the unguarded compound and grabbed the child.
He then took her to a toilet cubicle where he assaulted her. Other student who saw what occurred called their teachers who notified the police.
Cpl Cook and PC Henry of the Scarborough Police Station responded, held the man and rescued the child. The girl was taken to the Scarborough General Hospital. School was dismissed early as other students were said to be traumatised by the attack.
In a media release yesterday, Tobago House of Assembly Secretary of the Division of Education, Youth and Sport, Huey Cadette, said a full investigation would be launched and they would work closely with the Roman Catholic Board to ensure the safety of the pupils in future, as that was paramount.
Cadette said they also were reviewing the security arrangements at all schools on the island and a support team, comprising school supervisors and social workers, would provide counselling to parents, teachers and students.
The school will remain closed for the remainder of the week as security arrangements are looked at and to facilitate counselling for those who require it.