Ministry probing school gun incident

EDUCATION Minister Hazel Manning has ordered a probe into a gun-pulling incident at the Daniell Educational Institute on Pembroke Street, Port-of-Spain.

“The matter is under investigation, and I absolutely do not condone such acts, or incidents in and around a learning institution,” Mrs Manning said. The Education Minister was speaking to Newsday prior to the start of yesterday’s sitting of the Senate. Senator Manning told Newsday that her Ministry was actively pursuing conflict resolution training for teachers, principals and even MTS security guards detailed to patrol the nation’s schools. “We are talking about promoting peace in the classroom and now I am hearing about this incident. So obviously we are concerned about it and have launched an investigation, which is being carried out by the School Supervisor in charge of the area where that school is located,” Manning said. She said she did not support teachers or principals walking around with firearms especially on school compounds, but pointed out that Mr Daniell was not the principal of the school, but the proprietor.

The Education Minister said she expected a report on the incident to reach her desk by Friday. A report yesterday stated that owner of the school, Adolphus Daniell, reportedly brandished what appeared to be a firearm in an encounter with the parents of 14-year-old Mark Dass, a student of Daniell’s who had been suspended. According to Dass’ mother, Virginia Pitilal, her son was blamed for an incident which occurred at the school and was sent home by the school’s principal, with a letter asking his parents to meet with the principal. Pitilal said when she and her husband went to the school last Wednesday, they were told that no appointment had been scheduled. There was an exchange of words between Dass’ parents and the secretary which led to the owner of the school Adolphus Daniell becoming involved. The school was subsequently closed with Daniell making an official request to the Education Ministry for increased security for the school.

Mervyn Crichlow, PRO for the Education Ministry, told Newsday yesterday that the school is expected to be re-opened today and that classes would resume as normal. Crichlow also confirmed that Daniell met late last week with the Director of Schools Supervision, Janice Blackman, to discuss the incident. When Newsday visited the school yesterday, the receptionist said that Daniell was out. A subsequent telephone call got the response that Daniell was at a meeting.