HELP FOR PROBLEM CHILD

The parents are demanding the boy be transferred out of the school so his reign of terror on their children, can end.’ Education Ministry sources told Newsday this was the first time they could recall the entire PTA body of a school staging a mass demonstration against a student. The parents claimed on Monday during their placard protest that this student has been physically abusing not only students but teachers as well.

In fact, they further alleged, two teachers sought and got transfers after being assaulted by the boy.

The Student Support Services Unit intervened with counselling, but interim PTA president Savitri Persad said this intervention has done little to change the boy’s behaviour.

“Personally, I don’t think he has to be removed from the school...he just needs help,” said Persad. “But the majority of parents in the PTA are adamant that he must be removed because they are fearful for the safety of their children.” Education Minister Anthony Garcia on Monday expressed doubt over the truth in the parents’ claims against the boy.

Chief Education Officer Harrilal Seecharan, on the other hand, said the ministry is aware of the situation at the Rio Claro school and has recommended that an aide be assigned to work with the boy.

Ministry officials yesterday confirmed to Newsday that the aide was officially assigned.

According to the official, the aide is someone with the “professional expertise” to handle such cases and will be responsible for designing an “individually tailored educational plan” for the nine-year-old boy, in the hope of modifying his anti-social behaviour.

The aide will work with the child on the school premises. The source reiterated that the student has not been suspended.

The PTA is not happy with this move. “We want him removed from the school,” one parent told Newsday “Is two years now they assigning people to this boy and nothing has changed. We want him removed,” said the parent, who did not want to be publicly identified.

Up to press time, the PTA was locked in a meeting to determine whether or not they would continue protesting through the end of this week.