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In a Media Release on Thursday (21st April 2022), the Ministry of Education said that school violence continues to pose a challenge to the operations of, in particular, fifteen (15) secondary schools across Trinidad and Tobago. Though all schools operate by the guidelines of the National School Code of Conduct, and notwithstanding the operations of the School Social Workers and Guidance Councillors of the Student Support Services Division, and the collaboration of Community Police in these particular schools, violent incidents continue.
The Ministry notes that staff of the Student Support Services report that the impact of these incidents is compounded by their taping and circulation on social media. “The effect of this has been, in some cases, to encourage perpetrators, as they see this as glorification of their deeds - a positive development - in which they revel.” The Ministry states that the current School Discipline Matrix relies on suspension from school as one of its most severe consequences for indiscipline - however, this no longer serves as a deterrent for many of the repeat offenders. “In fact, being suspended from school is seen as a badge of honour, and in many cases, allows them freedom to engage in other activities, many of which are negative. A trend also observed is the fact that making contact with the parents of the repeat offenders is often very difficult for school officials, and those parents generally do not attend the various parenting seminars and other developmental programmes hosted by the Student Support Services at the schools.” For these reasons, the Ministry states the inter-ministerial committee was assembled to make recommendations for the updating of the School Discipline Matrix, with involvement of key Ministries and agencies such as the Ministries of National Security, Youth Development, Social Development and Family Services, Sport and Community Development, Gender and Child Affairs, along with the Children's Authority and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS). This committee is expected to deliver its recommendations by the first week of May 2022, for discussion with wider Education Stakeholders and approval by the Cabinet. The Ministry said, “In the interim, to provide more immediate support to schools at the start of Term III, the Community Police, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, assigned dedicated staff to each of the fifteen (15) secondary schools where violence incidents have been seen to be most prevalent. These schools also have dedicated Guidance Councillors and School Social Workers.” The Ministry added, “At this time, based on the number of violent incidents which have taken place both inside and outside of these schools' compounds over the last two (2) days, the Ministry of Education consulted with both the Ministry of National Security and the Commissioner of Police to discuss an immediate response to incidents of school violence, pending the recommendations of the inter-ministerial committee. The outcome was a letter of formal request from the Ministry of Education to the Commissioner of Police for advice on the procedure for removing violent students from the school environment to one which can offer them rehabilitative services. The TTPS has also been asked to immediately provide patrols directly outside of the schools in question, as well as in their vicinity, at the close of the school day, to deter students from violent outbursts.” The Community Police held an emergency meeting with the TTPS Child Support Unit and the Chief Education Officer of the Ministry of Education today (Thursday 21st April 2022), “to discuss what steps would need to be taken to return these schools to an atmosphere of safety, conducive to teaching and learning. One of the immediate recommendations is the temporary posting of Police Officers to the fifteen (15) schools, so that they would be available throughout the school day to provide support for violence deterrence. The Ministry will pursue this with the Commissioner of Police.” While these measures are in place, along with those of the Student Support Services, the Ministry said it awaits the recommendations of the inter-ministerial team, “which will include other supportive structures aimed at the elimination of school violence and the promotion of positive behaviours among the Nation's student population. We are a small operation. If you've found our articles to be informative, please consider supporting us via PayPal or buying us a coffee. Your contribution is incredibly appreciated and goes a long way. Simply sharing our articles also helps us. Sign up for our free WhatsApp Alerts to be notified as soon as we post breaking news. NEW! Check out our Merchandise Store for high-quality t-shirts, hats and more!
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