Now look at what is happening at an African majority school in San Fernando where I grew up.
This is so sad the things that are going on in T&T under this PP government especially in the area of education!
Claims of racial prejudice: parents protest outside school
By Sue-Ann Wayow sue-ann.wayow@trinidadexpress.com
Story Created: Mar 11, 2015 at 11:32 PM ECTMaking their voices heard: Parents display placards outside San Fernando Girls’ Government Primary School at Rushworth Street during a protest yesterday which was triggered by alleged race discrimination and other issues. —Photo: INNIS FRANCISSan FernandoAlleged race discrimination was one of the issues that triggered a protest outside the San Fernando Girls’ Government Primary School yesterday morning, with parents demanding a meeting with school officials.
The parents marched with placards outside the school at Rushworth Street, San Fernando, while classes were in session.
Natalie James claimed she overhead a school official telling another person: “This is a Government school that has one race and I’m here to equal the race.”
The comment was allegedly made last month when the school was registering new pupils for the new school term in September, said James.
The Express was also told of the plaques on the walls of pupils who had done well.
Parents said the plaques with children of African descent were removed first and when questions were raised, all photos were removed.
Parents also objected to not being allowed on the school’s compound.
James told the media: “You can’t go in school and sit down and talk to your child. This is new thing for most of the infant children. You come with your parents, your parents wait for you on mornings to get you settled in. Now you are not allowed to go into the gate. That is not nice. My child is going here three years now. I am accustomed walking in school with her till her teacher comes.”
She added: “Sometimes it has children in the other classes with problems, they have somebody to talk to on mornings. Who are they going to talk to? Teachers are not in their class until half eight when the bell is called. It has nobody on mornings for them to talk to when they come to school.”
The school official was not willing to speak with parents, reporters were told.
Some of the problems included “unprofessional communication, medical conditions not being addressed, no financial report given after Christmas Frolic was held, parents’ vehicles being wrecked outside the school, lack of supervision in classrooms before 8.30 a.m. or on lunchtime, children are not allowed to eat, play, run outside of classroom”.
The parents also complained that they were “not allowed to speak to or correct any child that they see doing something wrong or harmful to themselves or schoolmates”.
They asked: “How are parents to build a relationship with teachers if they only meet with them once a term or only when there is a problem of money is needed?”
Education Ministry respondsAn official with the Ministry of Education said a meeting was held with the school’s administration, school supervisors and parents yesterday.
The official said there was no evidence to substantiate claims of racial discrimination. The school official denied making such statements and explained that all the photos were removed to facilitate repairs.
The official said the parents decided to be a part of a more organised Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) not related to the National PTA.
“With reference to dealing with issues in the school, the stakeholders have decided that there is going to be greater consultation. The school-based management model will be strengthened. The model is the inclusion of all the stakeholders with reference to issues of this nature,” the official said.
And the official added that the Ministry of Education had a training programme for newly appointed school officials.