Following the recent upsurge of violence in schools, Trevor Oliver yesterday stated that though the School Intervention Strategies (SIS) Programme was a theoretically sound programme, it was “woefully lacking in funds, structure and the speed of implementation.” Oliver made the statement at a press conference at the headquarters of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) yesterday, to discuss the decisions arising out of a meeting with the Minister of Education and Ministry officials on Carnival Friday.
Recurring problems surfaced once again following the meeting, as TTUTA is of the view that despite promises from Ministry officials, nothing has been done to deal with the increased violence in schools. Oliver said he agreed with the ministry to have the SIS Programme implemented, and called on the authorities to expedite the out-of-school suspension, where programmes would facilitate the reeducation of these students into the school system. “Yes, this is good, but let’s implement it,” said Oliver. Stating that there was a need to accelerate the alternative curriculum aspect, which included children who were disruptive, he added that these children were sent back to the system, without any kind of counselling. Codes of conduct and a reactivation of student councils needed to done immediately, he added.
Admitting that there had been a breakdown in communications between the Ministry and TTUTA, Oliver said the fifth phase of the security programme in 83 primary schools needed to be placed on the priority list, while increased security in secondary schools needed to be reviewed. The entire executive of TTUTA agreed that there had to be certain guidelines governing teachers who were trying to help students, and referred to the recent “silent tragedy” as a breakdown in family life and moral values. “We will have to meet with the relevant authorities, the Ministry of Education, Health and other authorities, so that we can get amendments and enactments to laws, so that it would guide teachers in terms of how they do their work” claimed Oliver. Stating that teachers needed to be trained, and that the unification of the education system was taking too long, he said with the introduction of social workers in schools, this would relieve some of the burden undertaken by teachers, whose students were affected whether sexually, or otherwise. He revealed that a number of vacancies existed at both the Valsayn and Corinth Teachers’ Colleges, a problem which has increased throughout the last few months, he said.
A STUDENT nurse was indecently assaulted at gunpoint at the Nurses’ Hostel of the Port-of-Spain General Hospital (PoSGH) in the wee hours of Sunday morning, police sources told Newsday yesterday.
The latest development has left hospital authorities clamouring for additional security since it is felt something worse could happen. Preliminary reports on the indecent assault are that around 3 am, the 30-year-old student nurse was asleep at Block E when she was awakened by a masked man, armed with a firearm. A report was later made and a party of officers from the Belmont Police Station visited the scene and conducted investigations. The student nurse was also interviewed yesterday. Chief of Security at the North West Regional Authority Kenneth Doldron and the authority’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Lennard Jaggessar both confirmed an incident at the Nurses’ Hostel.
Jaggessar said he was awaiting a full report from Doldron, who said via telephone that they have since instituted security officers to “heavily concentrate” on the area and that the matter was being thoroughly investigated by the police. Neither men could say where the assailant gained access, but hospital sources told Newsday that the armed and masked man did not enter through the main entrance since the area was fully covered by security officers. Sources said a nurse, who was studying, saw someone coming from an area where there is a hole in the fence on the eastern side of the hospital. She did not pay it any mind because sources alleged student nurses, usually “dance around the system” by having male visitors at the institution after the allowed time of 10 pm. Sources also said that the security efforts are hampered since there is a lot of covering up.
Newsday also learned that the authority has several reports of “boyfriends fighting with boyfriends” at the hospital. One man was reportedly arrested as a consequence. “These are some of the matters that we have to constantly investigate and the authority is spending a lot of money on a regular basis,” one source told Newsday. Hospital sources also referred to the December 1, 2001 incident where a man was gunned down by a group of men in Ward 51 at the city hospital. Saying that many years ago, hospitals and churches were considered to be sanctuaries, sources said since the December incident, they were preparing for an increase in violence at the hospital. “We are extremely concerned especially when guns are used. We need stiffer penalties for gun crimes.” No arrests had been made up to late yesterday and PC Baksh of the Belmont Police Station is continuing investigations.
From dawn to dusk I ponder
At God’s creative power;
I perceive Him as my Father,
And fellow human beings as brothers.
I sympathise with those who hate,
And pride the abuse of their mates.
To be selfish is unfortunate;
Also cursing and being obstinate
To God we all must return,
Then our fate will be made known;
The bad in Hell Fire will be thrown,
As we shall reap what we’ve sown.
Let’s join and build a better world,
For our children and our own soul;
A happy human family let’s mould;
With love and harmony as our goal.
By Dr Waffie Mohammed
YOUTH FOOTBALLER Nkosi Blackman, who was involved in a serious accident last year that claimed the life of his friend Lester Salick, said yesterday he was shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of his colleague, former Under-20 football captain Marvin Lee, who died on Sunday at the Arima Hospital.
Blackman, who was in a coma for two weeks following the accident last February, has recovered fully and is back at school at St Benedict’s College, La Romain. He is also on the school’s football team. Blackman said Lee’s death came as a surprise to him. Blackman said he had a lot of respect and admiration for the Under-20 captain, especially after Lee visited him when he was in a serious condition at hospital and offered support and words of encouragement.
Even though 21-year-old Lee was paralyzed from the neck down due to spinal injuries sustained when he collided with an American striker during an Under-20 World Cup qualifying match, Blackman said he believed Lee was going to walk again one day. “I thought he would have come back. It is very sad, especially for his mom who just getting over his football injury and now this.” Recounting that Lee had always said he would be walking in heaven with God, Blackman said: “I believe he is walking with God because he was a very good person and I want to extend my sympathies to his family and I hope for the best.” With regards to his own near death experience, Blackman said he was moving on with his life.
THE EDITOR: Finally we are seeing a good effort by law enforcement officials to tackle crime where it actually can be found — on the streets of Trinidad and Tobago. The Carnival round-up is only the tip of the iceberg though. This anti-crime effort has to be both day and night exercises in every village and town in Trinidad and Tobago.
The street limers who harass young girls and women, the “boys on the block” who peddle marijuana, heroin and cocaine rocks, the so-called “smartmen” who want to take all that you have under false pretences together with white collar, industrial and political crimes must be dealt with swiftly and to the fullest extent of the law. No compromises by the magistracy and the judiciary here! We demand a safer Trinidad and Tobago now! And while the police are doing their job on crime, we must take urgent action against political leaders and their cohorts who are committed to moving us backward into the 1950s and 60s through racial bias and vindictiveness.
The time has come to rally foreign governments and international organisations to take a closer look to the extent that racism has developed because of improper race relations presently and historically by the PNM government in Trinidad and Tobago. Lobbying action and education must start immediately before institutionalised racism gets any deeper in our beautiful country.
DR CHRIS MAHADEO
Port-of-Spain
THE EDITOR: I wish to respond to Karan Mahabirsingh’s letter “Why try to save the murderers?” (March 5, 2003), asking why abolitionists are not protesting against war.
I can, of course, only speak for Caribbean Justice. However, our position is that we are a voluntary organisation which was established specifically to campaign on the single issue of the death penalty. As such, it would be inappropriate – indeed, beyond our remit and resources – to get involved in anything else. That does not preclude those in the organisation from campaigning as individuals on other issues, and I know that some are actively engaged in the Stop The War movement against military action in Iraq.
SHELAGH SIMMONS Co-ordinator Caribbean Justice
P O Box 216 Southsea Hampshire PO4 9YW England
THE EDITOR: We are accustomed to complain and cast blame on many departments of our government for their service to the public, but TT Post should come in for much praise for their efficiency in the speedy delivery and dispatch of mail locally and overseas. It is not unusual to find that my letters to the editor of our Newsday are responded to the following day in headlines in their newspapers. TT Post deserves full praise and thanks for their good service to the public at large, and should stand as a good example to other arms of our public service.
Let us hope that the powers that be take good cognizance of this and give credit where it is due.
ELLIS MAINGOT
Trincity
THE EDITOR: This is an open letter to the Commissioner of Police, the Minister of National Security and of course the public at large. The operation Anaconda and the operation of the security services at Carnival are exactly what the security services should be doing full time. After all, exactly what is the duty of the security services, is it not to patrol all areas and prevent crime. The anaconda operation and the carnival exercise should not be regarded as some sort of special service to the public — these exercises are exactly what these officers should be doing around the clock — this is what they are being paid to do. Giving these people special leave and extra payment is just telling them to go back now to the non-performance duty that has existed. If you disagree — tell me what is the normal duty of the police.
LENNOX HOWARD
Curepe
THE EDITOR: The two days of Carnival celebrations that marked the culmination of the Carnival season have been relatively safe for those of us who participated in the nation’s festivities. This is due in the most part to the pressure brought about by the population who have grown tired of living in fear. The response by the Commissioner of Police has been quite satisfactory and as a citizen, I should like to extend my gratitude for the effort.
However, let me also say that whilst this marks a step in the right direction it is far from the destination we aspire to. This kind of visibility and pro-active policing must be sustained if we as citizens are to feel any lasting degree of comfort at home. In addition, the real causes of anti-social behaviour must be addressed by the authorities. Is it not amazing what can be achieved with a little will power?
GARVIN NICHOLAS
Port-of-Spain
THE EDITOR: Our two days of Carnival have been relatively ‘crime free’ and the success of this has been given to the Minister of National Security, the Police and Special Services. What many have failed to recognise and acknowledge is the power of prayer in this scenario. Many individuals, groups and prayer communities have been praying, fasting and doing penance days and weeks before Carnival and even during the Carnival weekend. Let us give God the glory. We thank the security forces for the part they played but it was through God’s intervention that we experienced a “crime free” weekend. To God be the glory.
A SOO HON
Port-of-Spain
