Repeated Incidents at St Pierre RCA School: Two Students Suspended, Police Involved

In response to parents' anger, the Ministry of Education has suspended two students accused of repeated violence. A police officer will now be stationed outside the school to ensure safety.

In St Pierre, concern is growing among parents who are frequently gathering outside the school premises. Two boys, aged 8 and 9, who are in Grade 4 and Grade 5, have been accused of causing terror in the school for the past three years. Yesterday, it was decided that the two students would be temporarily suspended until further notice.

On Wednesday morning, parents gathered outside St Pierre RCA School to once again voice their concerns. "Two children are terrorizing the school, and our kids are the victims," shared a mother, wishing to remain anonymous. She recounted finding her son in tears, sitting on a bench after being hit.

Another mother mentioned that she went to the local police station on Tuesday to fill out a Form 58. "My child is in Grade 4. He told us that two children hit him on the head and back. When we asked the school for details about what happened, they advised us to go to the police to file a complaint." Subsequently, they went to the hospital for further medical examinations.

Parents lament that no final solution has been found. "Each time we come to ask for details about solutions, we get nothing. We feel like we are being misled. Today (Wednesday), several officers from different authorities are inside the school. We want a solution to ensure the safety of our children, teachers, and staff."

Parents argue that they have to supervise their children at home. "The children no longer want to go to school. They say they are scared. The situation is so serious that the first term exams are affected."

A father stated that nothing seems to scare these two boys. "We hear that they have pushed and threatened the teacher and other staff members. It is crucial to find lasting solutions and not just transfer the problem to another school."

At the Diocesan Service of Catholic Education (SeDEC), Clive Anseline, the communications officer, clarified: "SeDEC has been made aware of what is happening at the school. We understand the parents' reaction. This is a case we have been monitoring for some time in collaboration with the relevant authorities, such as the CDU and the Family Protection Brigade. There have also been several meetings with the Ombudsperson for Children. Necessary sanctions must be taken to ensure the safety of the school community."

From the Ministry of Education, we learned that measures have been taken. It has been decided that the two children are temporarily suspended from school until a solution is found. Additionally, a police officer will be placed at the entrance of the school to ensure the safety of the students.

Aneeta Ghoorah: "The Ministry and SeDEC must take responsibility"

The Ombudsperson for Children, Aneeta Ghoorah, stated: "The case has been referred to my office due to serious behavioral concerns. After several attempts with psychologists, SeDEC, and the ministry, no tangible solution has emerged. On March 13, parents came to see me. I then called a meeting with the partners. Testimonies revealed a serious problem. I sent an official letter to the ministry and SeDEC proposing measures to protect all children. The ministry and SeDEC must take responsibility."

What the law says: Education Regulations 1957, Part III, Section 13. Discipline

"(1) (a) Where it appears to the Principal of a Government junior technical or secondary school or the Government Secondary and Technical School or a Government or aided primary school that the conduct, work or progress of a pupil is unsatisfactory, he may temporarily suspend a pupil and require the responsible party of the pupil, by notice in writing, to withdraw him from the school within such period as may be specified in the notice.

(b) where the responsible party fails to withdraw the pupil within that period, the pupil shall, with the approval of the Minister, be expelled from the school.

(2) In any case of serious misconduct, the Principal of a Government or aided primary school or the Government Secondary and Technical School or a Government junior technical school or a Government Secondary School, with the approval of the Minister, may suspend or expel a pupil, and no pupil who has been suspended shall be re-admitted to school before the expiry of the period of suspension unless the Minister in any special case otherwise directs."