Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
The Police Cyber Response team is investigating the source of bomb threats issued from the Ministry of Education’s official email which resulted in the evacuation of thousands of students, principals and administrators from 49 schools in the South Eastern Education District on Tuesday.
Late yesterday Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly issued a statement condemning the disruptions to students’ education caused by a threat sent via email to primary schools in the district.
She said following the established safety protocols, students were removed to muster points. The T&T Police Service was notified, and sweeps of the identified schools within the South-Eastern Education District then started.
Saying most schools will reopen by today, the Minister said the TTPS was currently updating the ministry about the completion of the sweeping exercise at individual schools.
“Once schools are cleared for resumption of normal school operations, Principals will be advised, and will, in turn, advise parents. Based on the projections of the TTPS, most, if not all affected schools should be able to resume operations on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.
The minister assured parents that the safety of the students and staff is paramount.
“The MOE is working closely with the Ministry of National Security and related law enforcement agencies, including the Cybersecurity Incident Response Team, to investigate this incident,” she said.
But president of the T&T Unified Teachers Association Martin Lum Kin criticised the ministry’s handling of the incident saying students and staff were left out in the sun while they waited for instructions.
In a circulated voice note yesterday, Lum Kin accused the Ministry of Education of restricting principals from exercising discretionary authority.
The email, which Guardian Media obtained, warned people to stay away from schools on March 5 and 6 noting that “at midday, a device will be set off.”
Lum Kin said, “We know the TTPS and Fire Services cannot visit all schools in the SE district because of the geographical locations of the schools. Principals were informed that they are not allowed to dismiss school and have persons await instructions by MOE.
“The teachers, administrators, and students are presently at the muster point under the hot sun and without shelter in some cases.”
Lum Kin also questioned why principals were instructed not to dismiss school and await further instructions from the MOE.
Accusing the ministry of undermining the authority of principals, Lum Kin said it was the direct responsibility of the principal for the safety of all occupants on school compounds.
“This is another example of the Ministry of Education undermining the authority of our principals under Section 27 of the Education Act,” he said.
“Principals are directly responsible for the safety of all occupants on the school compound and have the authority to make decisions which affect the health and safety of occupants at the compound.”
He underscored the importance of principals’ discretion in decision-making concerning health and safety matters, as outlined in Section 27 of the Education Act.
Lum Kin said TTUTA will not allow the ministry to diminish the authority of principals.
“It is inhumane to have occupants of these schools stand in the hot sun and under those harsh conditions. We call on MOE to discontinue this practice and allow principals to exercise discretionary powers and authority when it comes to health and safety issues,” he added.
In April last year, schools across the country also faced a similar bomb threat. No one was arrested for that incident which was later deemed a hoax.