TTUTA calls for more parental control

President of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association(TTUTA) Trevor Oliver has called on parents nationwide to spend more quality time with their children and underscored the need for parental supervision. Oliver spoke to Sunday Newsday yesterday following a fracas among some schoolgirls at the National Library on Friday evening. It was reported that scores of secondary school students came under police scrutiny after a fight between two schoolgirls raised security fears. According to reports, the two students were not arrested but were counselled about their behaviour. The female constable was said to have told them to “keep the peace.” However, a worker at the library reportedly claimed that one of the girls had a knife and was stopped by officers “just in time from stabbing the other girl.”

Central police station, where the girls were taken for counselling, did not reveal any information about the schoolgirls including which schools they attended. Oliver said he had not received a report but said he was concerned about the frequent incidents which occurred among students at the Library. He lamented that this a disadvantage to the students who really want to learn and access the Library for genuine purposes. He said TTUTA was willing to meet with library officials and discuss possible solutions to help alleviate the problem. “But you know, it is not just us nor the police. The National Library needs the support of the entire community,” said Oliver. He said the most important support of course, must come from the home — the parents. According to Oliver, a report showed that the most well-behaved students come from homes where there is strong parental support and supervision. “Only a parent who is well attuned to his/her children will know what they are taking to school in their bags,” he said. “We need to re-build family values in the home so children will have better values,” Oliver reiterated. The TTUTA president advised parents that when they spend quality time with their children, they will be able to know what is happening in their lives and therefore, exercise more control.