Maha Sabha disbands WhatsApp groups at schools

SANATAN Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) general secretary Vijay Maharaj said a decision was taken Wednesday to disband all WhatsApp chat groups being used by students and teachers at SDMS schools.

Maharaj said the decision was taken after an incident on Tuesday when pornographic material was sent to one such group for a Hindu primary school in South Trinidad.

"Like most schools, our school has WhatsApp chat groups for teachers and for the students." He added, "Some of the students use their parents' phones."

In the incident in question, Maharaj said, "A parent took his phone and he put something on for about 30 seconds, I don't know the exact length of time." He said the teacher in charge of the class and the school's acting principal reported the matter to the police. Maharaj said the SDMS and the school supervisiors of the Victoria district were also contacted.

"What I have done immediately, because of the scenario, is I have decided that we will disband all WhatsApp groups as of today and the children will use the Ministry of Education's websites."

Maharaj explained this was applicable to all of the SDMS' schools. He added that with schools closing on July 3, all classes would be stopping on that date. Maharaj also noted a media report which spoke about a similar incident taking place at another school.

Officials at the TT Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) and the National Parents Teachers Association (NPTA) said they had no information about this incident.