I will expel a student, if I must

Garcia pointed out that as minister he alone has the authority to expel a child and, “I will not hesitate to invoke it”.

In the two minute, four second video the female student in question is threatened and pushed before a group of females started punching and kicking her. After the major beating the student sat on the ground and one student is seen kicking her in the head. The incident is reported to have occurred on October 26.

It was reported that all of the students involved are in form four and following the incident 10 were suspended.

The beaten student received soft tissue injuries but was treated and also received counselling. She has since returned to school. Back in 2009 the school made papers for a “gang war” between El Dorado West and East.

Garcia spoke about the incident yesterday at a media conference held at the school together with the school’s vice principal Susan Ramsaroop (the principal is out of the country), Minister in the Ministry of Education Dr Lovell Francis and Chief Education Officer Harrilal Seecharan.

He described the video as “a mob of girls mercilessly beating” another girl.

“So devastating was the licking that that student received that a number of persons called me expressing their disgust at what they saw. Among those persons that called me was the prime minister of this country expressing his grave concern at what has been happening,” he said.

He said while the school did an internal investigation the Education Ministry will be launching its own investigation and “other forms of action” may be taken. He also reported he will meet with the parents of both the victim and the students who beat her. He said it was “unfortunate” that the suspended students were not sent to the Learning Enhancement Centre in Couva.

Garcia said he was informed the incident occurred outside the school but noted that does not exonerate anyone. He added that when students behave like that there is a reason and it does not occur in a vacuum. He said there is a foundation with the parents and the support from them.

“Apparently students are being allowed to do what they want,” he said.

He said in incidents like the fight the blame rests largely on the shoulders of the parents.

He reiterated he would meet with the parents saying that type of behaviour will not be tolerated at El Dorado West or any other school.

“It has brought the entire education system into disrepute, shame and odium,” he said.

On the history of students being expelled Garcia reported he did not expel any during his tenure and Seecharan said he could not recall it being done by previous ministers.

Asked about increased security guards, Garcia said he does not want schools to be seen as “jails” and does not believe that beefing up the number of guards would change the situation.

“I hate to see schools with high walls and barb wire fences.

Schools should be an extension of a community,” he commented.

On possibly taking action against the parents, which was a suggestion in the National Consultation on Education, Francis said they will ensure some mechanism to hold parents accountable is put in place but it will not necessarily be punitive.

Garcia also criticised parents who were having children hold up placards in protest and encouraging them to disrespect Education Ministry officials. He was referring to recent protests by the PTAs of several schools.