Garcia upset with parents involved in Palo Seco schoolgirl fight

EDUCATION Minister Anthony Garcia has called on parents to show better examples to their children after parents were involved in a fight with girls from the Palo Seco Secondary School.

He was speaking with Newsday after the re-opening of the Red House on Friday.

Four female students were suspended after the fight on Tuesday evening in which police had to be called. TTUTA second vice president Kyrla Robertson-Thomas previously reported to Newsday, the principal had said part of the problem was two of the parents of the girls were “bullies” and police at the school “had to separate even the parents, because the parents are supporting and endorsing the actions of their children.”

Garcia said the ministry has been able to achieve tremendous gains in the education system in the areas of violence and indiscipline.

"We have put a number of things in place so that our schools are safe. What we have found now is that violence and indiscipline has now migrated outside of the school compound. This fight took place outside the school. However we are not absolving ourselves of the responsibility, because any time any child is dressed in a school uniform that child comes under the jurisdiction of the school."

Garcia said he awaited the principal's report on the incident and added, although the girls have been suspended, there is the possibility he could receive an application for the extension of the suspension which he will approve.

"Because we have to send a message that we will not tolerate that type of behaviour. What is also disconcerting is the fact that parents were involved in this. Parents are supposed to set the example. And if the example that we are showing today is one that encourages violence and indiscipline, then heaven help us.

"So once again I am appealing to all our parents to show proper examples (and) do things that our children can follow. In everything that you do, you must understand that your children are there and they are looking at you."

He said while there is the teaching in schools, there is something called the "hidden curriculum" and the behaviour of the parents is also a teaching moment.

"So what we saw two days ago in that fight will, unfortunately, teach our children that they can settle their differences through violence. And that is not a good lesson. I am therefore asking our parents, please understand and accept your responsibility to your children in particular, and your responsibility to this nation."