Parents cry racism at South school

Allegations of racism are reportedly behind a threat by disgruntled parents of the Torrib Trace Presbyterian School at Brothers Road, Brickfield, to keep their children from the school. The group of some 50 parents, led by Brian Smith, met with School Supervisor II Vickram Ramlal at the school’s compound on Thursday to air their grievances. Smith said racial slurs were being made against “anyone with dark-skin” at the school. “They are being called nasty names.” Smith said children of a certain race were often left unattended in the classrooms.

He said parents are calling for an equitable balance of the teaching staff with equal numbers of Indian and African teachers. Smith said the parents have given the Education Ministry one week to address the problem, or face heightened protest action, including removal of their children from the school. Another parent, Rae-Anne Charles, said her son was allegedly beaten at the school and “nothing was done about it.” Education Ministry officials said the allegations are being investigated.