Hazel:

The Ministry of Education has no plan to ban the use of cell phones in schools, according to Education Minister, Hazel Manning.

Speaking at a post-Cabinet news conference yesterday, Manning said cell phones were part of the new technology and Government wanted to use technology in education. “So we do not talk about a ban. What we talk about is limiting the use of cell phones. Because in the new education era, cell phones are going to be very important.”

She noted that students overseas were using ipods to transfer homework. “It is (a question of) how do we put rules and regulations in place to ensure that the cellphones are well used,” the Minister said.

On the issue of student abuse, Manning said her ministry found the problem of abuse of small boys by older boys at Nelson Street Boys “very worrying.”

She said the Ministry knew that there have been a number of incidents at that school, and that it had been going on for some time.

Manning said the Student Support Services Division visited some 60 schools which had not scored well in the SEA in 2004.

What was discovered was that there were 30 students with HIV, 39 students who were subjected to physical abuse, 65 to sexual abuse, 39 exposed to arms and armunition and 49 to drugs and trafficking. (The Division is made up of school social workers, psychologists and guidance officers).

Manning stated that Cabinet had approved the hiring of 230 additional officers for the Student Support Services Division. But, she said, “the problem was that the skills were not out there”.

On the issue of Biche, Manning said Government had identified four plots for the construction of a new school in Biche.

Manning also announced that Government agreed to upgrade the Rudranath Capildeo Learning and Resource Centre (RCLRC) at a cost of $84 million. She said Cabinet had approved the redefinition of the role and function and the restructuring of the RCLRC.

The LRC would now act as a centre for curriculum research, design and implementation; it would also research the efficiency and effectiveness of education materials; engage in professional development of teachers and teaching support staff, and develop linkages with the University of Trinidad and Tobago in the delivery of professional development courses.

Manning said model classrooms would be created at RCL. These would include a model library, music room, classroom, science and education technology laboratories, specialist rooms for visual and performing arts, computer laboratory, model early childhood care and education centre, music area and a block of residential flats.