Speaker disallows debate on school violence

House Speaker Barry Sinanan yesterday turned down a request to discuss as a definite matter of urgent public importance the failure of Government to deal with the unprecedented high levels of indiscipline and violence in the nation’s schools.

Arguing the case for discussion of this issue was former Education Minister Adesh Nanan, who said the problem posed a threat to life and limb of students and teachers. Sinanan said he had carefully considered the matter but did not feel that it qualifed for discussion as a definite matter of urgent public importance.