Fiery protest over boy, 11

Saying the ministry’s decision to appoint a personal aide to work one on one with this child, in an effort to modify his alleged deviant behaviour is not enough - since similar attempts had failed in the past - parents insist either he is transferred or their protests will continue. The decision to have a personal aide work with the student was made on Tuesday following a protest outside the school in San Pedro.

But this did not go down well with the school’s PTA and a decision was made on Tuesday to stage a second protest yesterday. Told of the parents’ concern with this student for his alleged beating up of students at the school, causing two teachers to transfer out after assaulting them and sexually harrassing female students, Minister Garcia said he doubted these allegations as being “hard to believe.” His comments enraged the parents who said their children are afraid to attend school because of this one boy. Yesterday, they placed derelict tyres across the Tabaquite Main Road which they then set on fire along with other debris. “You are a very disrespectful Minister and you need to get out of office,” interim PTA President Savitri Persad said. “I mean that and we are going to continue this until you come and visit our school. The parents of Santa Rita RC demand an apology from you Mr Garcia because you are very disrespectful for such a big, educated man,” she added. Asked earlier this week whether he would visit Santa Rita RC, Garcia said he can’t be expected to “out every fire.” The PTA is calling for the boy to be placed in a specialized institution to receive the “professional help” they believe he need. Asked if such facilities exist for primary school students, Minister in the Education Ministry Lovell Francis said “yes”.

Secondary school students who are suspended or expelled are enrolled at learning enhancement centres geared toward behaviour modification.

TTUTA President Lynsley Doodhai said that not every education district has such centres and further, there are no institutions to specifically target primary school students with behavioural problems.

Chief executive officer of the Catholic Education Board Sharon Mangroo said she was concerned about this student who has been the target of protests.

“We are very concerned about him and want him to get the help he needs. Just today we were having a conversation about what we can do to deal with students who are suspended. We will be looking to see what we can do to offer whatever resources we have in this regard, perhaps through our parishes or elsewhere,” Mangroo said.

When Newsday visited the school yesterday, the boy was not at school and attempts to reach his parents were unsuccessful.