RADHICA SOOKRAJ
Trinidad Guardian
Pandemonium broke out in Princes Town Senior Comprehensive School yesterday, when teachers were forced to hide in the principal’s office to escape a barrage of bottles, stones and pieces of wood.
A school source said teachers hid in the principal’s office while the students rattled the doors and windows.
Principal Angela Lalla dismissed school early, and called an emergency meeting with her staff. However, several teachers left, saying their safety was at risk.
Sources said the incident started during recess around 10 am, when two female Form Four students began fighting over a ring.
It is alleged that both students were taken to the principal’s office and questioned.
“Eventually, one of the girls was allowed to leave,” a source said.
It is alleged that around 1 pm, the girl returned with a gang of students. They went inside the principal’s office to demand the return of the ring.
Sources said a teacher attempted to speak to the students. However, the gang took up a piece of wood and threatened to beat him. Another teacher came to his assistance, but the gang became angry and started pelting stones.
Both teachers fled. Other members of staff locked themselves in the staff room as the situation escalated.
“All the students went into a state of disorder. They were uncontrollable; there was nothing the teachers could do,” a source said.
Principal Lalla contacted Princes Town police.
“Over 100 students kept walking up and down the corridor. No teacher could come out. They threatened to damage our cars,” a source said.
Police arrived on the scene one hour later and took statements regarding the ring.
However, sources said there were attempts to downplay the incident.
Senior police officers confirmed the chaos, but attempts to contact Lalla for comment proved futile.
The school, with an enrolment of 1,000, has 100 teachers and 30 auxiliary staff.
A report has since been made to the Education Ministry.
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