Dead teacher was depressed

Students of St Mary’s College (CIC) yesterday said Principal Fr Ronald Mendes told them deceased teacher, Michael de Silva, who was found hanging on Wednesday, was a “troubled and depressed” individual. Speaking to Newsday yesterday, the students said they were addressed by Fr Mendes at the routine morning assembly on Thursday morning, in which he revealed that de Silva had been receiving “professional help” to deal with the recent death of his father, who passed away earlier this year. Adding that the assembly lasted approximately 40-45 minutes, the students also said Mendes indicated that following the funeral, a mass would be held at the school chapel in memory of de Silva.

Questioned as to what kind of person de Silva was at school, some of the students said he appeared to be “poor” as his glasses needing replacing. They stated he “came in and just did what he had to do” and could not ever recall seeing de Silva at social functions such as school bazaars, sports or family days. When Newsday visited the school around lunchtime, Fr Mendes said he was not speaking to the media, and that he would not be willing to make a comment on the matter. This was following an emergency staff meeting at the school, which began around 11.30 am. When the Ministry of Education was contacted regarding the incident, we were told by communications specialist Mervyn Crichlow that he was unaware of the incident and that the “ministry may not wish to comment on the matter,” despite the fact that de Silva was a teacher in the public service.

However, he later contacted Newsday and said they were aware of the matter, but that he was not at liberty to divulge any details. He added that the Ministry’s Guidance Unit was assisting students and teachers at the school. In extending condolences to de Silva’s family, president of the TT Unified Teachers’ Association, Trevor Oliver, acknowledged that teaching was a stressful profession. He claimed this was one of the main reasons TTUTA was fighting so hard to get proper terms and conditions for teachers. He concluded that TTUTA was currently trying to implement the Employee Assistance Programme, in which “stressed out” teachers can receive professional counselling.  An autopsy performed on de Silva’s body yesterday revealed that he died as a result of hanging.