The Presbyterian Primary Schools’ Board of Education has reinforced notice to principals under their jurisdiction to remind their staff against the use of corporal punishment on students and other actions.
The reminder was given in a May 11 letter from the board in response to recent incidents.
Principals were asked to speak to their staff on the following:
• Absolutely no use of corporal punishment of students.
• Absolutely no verbal, psychological and mental abuse of students.
• Absolutely no racial profiling of students.
Principals were notified that in the preceding week, there had been two allegations on social media of teachers making “derogatory racist” statements to students.
It was noted that these were serious allegations that can bring the Presbyterian Church of T&T and the school board into serious disrepute.
The board stated that all such allegations must be objectively investigated by a principal.
Principals were also advised to bring all relevant laws, regulations and policies to the attention of staff and make an appropriate log entry on receiving the board’s notice.
Guardian Media was informed that the two allegations were investigated and no evidence to support them was found.
Officials also said the notice was issued to principals to reinforce systems against the backdrop of the current landscape where allegations of “all kinds” arise on social media.
They said it was also done bearing in mind the recent reopening of schools after the pandemic lockdown, where students were not within classrooms and it was in keeping with efforts to ensure students and staff operate smoothly as T&T settles down to classroom environments again.
