Stephon Nicholas
Tobago Correspondent
The Division of Education has opened an investigation into a viral video showing a parent beating her child on the Signal Hill Secondary School compound on Thursday.
The 40-second video shows a female security officer accusing the female student, who was accompanied by her mother, of accosting her.
“How much times yuh run up on me, little girl?” the security guard asked.
As the student denied the accusation, her mother began striking her multiple times with a slipper. The footwear eventually flew out the woman’s hand as students looked on.
Signal Hill Secondary is one of two schools on the island with a permanent police presence.
Secretary of Education Orlando Kerr declined to comment on the issue yesterday.
“I am awaiting the facts of the matter,” he said.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a teacher at the school said the incident has left staff shocked. She added that physical disciplining of students on the compound is not a normal occurrence.
But a parent, waiting outside the school yesterday to pick up his son, said he supported the mother’s actions.
He noted society usually blames the parents when children behave badly.
“I ain’t see nothing wrong with that. Nowadays kids need that level of discipline,” he said.
“‘It start from the home — that is what people go be saying…If you ain’t put down your foot in that kind of way, you go be the one at fault at the end of the day, because they go be doing whatever they want.”
He rejected claims by some online commenters who said the disciplining should not have been done in front of other students.
“Some children, that is the only way they will learn. They need a level of embarrassment before they take things serious.”
With the Government proposing to bring legislation to hold parents accountable for their children’s behaviour, he believes parents cannot afford to allow bad behaviour to fester.
“You can’t tell me I can’t give my child that level of discipline. Once is not no weapon and that level of abuse, I ain’t see nothing wrong with it.”
Assistant Superintendent Mahalia Bacchus has confirmed that police are aware of the situation.
“The officer who is present (at the school) is aware of the situation. The fact that police officers are there does not erase the role and responsibilities of the school. They have their guidelines on how to treat with certain things. If there is anything criminal, police will get involved, but they are aware of it and are looking into it,” Bacchus said.
