Parents of pupils at the Santa Rita RC Primary school in Rio Claro have suspended protest action, following a decision by the school supervisor to have a Standard One child removed from the school. The parents protested Thursday and Friday, demanding the removal of the boy, who is eight years old, because they said he was terrorising teachers and other pupils. Teachers at the school also took “half-day” from work on Tuesday, over the child’s behaviour, leaving the school compound shortly after noon.
The T&T Guardian visited the school on Thursday and spoke to several parents, who explained the issue. One parent, Savi Persad, said the situation is now resolved as the district’s school supervisor has assured parents the child will not return to the school when the new school term opens in April. “We met with the school supervisor this morning (yesterday) and he asked us to bear with the situation for one last week,” said Persad. “The child will be transferred to another school at the start of the new school term.”
Persad said the child, who has only been in the school for about three weeks, was abusing and cursing teachers and students alike. “He was transferred into the school in the first week of March, and since then he has been abusing both teachers and students,” said Persad. “On his first day he kicked a female teacher, who told him to sit down, and pushed down a male teacher who tried to intervene.” She said the boy also exposed his private parts to other pupils and made lewd comments towards them.
“He cursed and threatened teachers and students. He even pulled down his zipper, exposed himself to a number of students and made very rude comments to them.” But she added, she and other parents are not worried about the child acting out, as the principal has said he will monitor the child closely until the end of the school term next Friday. She also said the school supervisor has also pledged to ensure the child receives counselling.
“We did not want to be like the other schools he was expelled from, they just sent him home. We wanted to make sure he can get help for his problems before he gets older.” Persad said the child’s father has also spoken out, saying he will take custody of the child from now on. When the school’s principal was contacted on Thursday, he declined to respond to any questions or comment on the situation at the school.
TTUTA responds
When contacted, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) Devanand Sinanan said TTUTA stands behind its teachers in their decision to take half day. “We stand behind our teachers, if they felt the need to leave because their safety was threatened,” said Sinanan. “We understand there were some problems with a transfer student, who has reportedly been abusive and some teachers consider him a threat to their safety.”
Sinanan said the teachers were also concerned that certain procedures were not followed regarding the history of bad behaviour with the child.