The Ministry of Education says it has activated its full support framework following the circulation of a disturbing video showing a schoolboy being brutally beaten by other students on a roadway in Chaguanas earlier this week. The video, which has been widely shared on social media, shows the boy being surrounded and assaulted by several other boys before collapsing to his knees. While on the ground, he is repeatedly kicked in the head and upper body until he appears motionless. A vehicle, which had been
blocked during the altercation, is then seen moving forward and making contact with the boy as he lay on the roadway. Persons nearby could be heard screaming for the driver to stop, apparently unaware that the injured boy was lying in front of the vehicle. The footage ends with someone lifting the injured student into his arms and carrying him away from the scene. In a statement issued today, the Ministry of Education said it “unequivocally condemns” the incident and expressed concern both about the
violence itself and the circulation of the footage online. “Schools are intended to be safe spaces for learning, growth, respect and personal development. Behaviour that threatens the safety, dignity and well-being of students and staff undermines the values that our education system seeks to instill and cannot be condoned,” the ministry stated. The ministry said all available mechanisms and interventions were being engaged in response to the incident, including collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, school supervisors, administrators and other stakeholders. Officials said
support would also be provided to those affected. The ministry added that it would continue utilising programmes and interventions aimed at addressing student behaviour and school safety, including the S.A.F.E. (Stakeholder Alliance for Education Enhancement) Initiative, counselling and psychosocial support services, behavioural interventions and parental engagement initiatives. The statement also urged parents and guardians to play a greater role in helping create safe and supportive environments for children. “Schools, families and communities must work collectively to reinforce values of respect, empathy, conflict resolution and responsible
citizenship,” the ministry said. The ministry reiterated its commitment to ensuring schools rem
Ministry of Education, Chaguanas, schoolboy, beaten, video, Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, counselling, psychosocial support, S.A.F.E. Initiative, school safety