[UPDATED] Students traumatised after shooting near South East PoS Secondary

THREE people were shot and wounded after a volley of gunshots were heard near the South East Port of Spain Secondary School on October 17 leaving students traumatised and leading to the school being dismissed early.

The shooting reportedly caused terror and panic among children at the school, with students taking cover in their classrooms.

Newsday contacted Port of Spain police division head, Snr Supt Raymond Thom for the facts of the shooting.

Thom said, three people ages 33, 50, and 25 all from Nelson Street, Port of Spain were shot and wounded on October 17.

Thom said one of the injured, had only a graze to their finger.

When Newsday visited around noon, the school had already been dismissed and heavily armed police and soldiers were patrolling nearby streets on foot.

The president of the school’s Parent Teacher Association, Denise Braithwaite, said the proximity of the shooting to the school meant children on the Nelson Street side would have had a “more intense” reaction.

She said despite their fears, they did exactly what they were taught to do in that situation.

“The children are all trained by our safety officer, so once there is the sound of gunshots, they take the 'cover' position, and then, when given the clearance by our safety officers, they proceed to our safe zone, which is in the school hall.

“However, today's shooting was a bit more traumatising because it sounded a bit like it was on the compound. We have some students who are more traumatised as well as staff than others.”

Braithwaite said the incident was particularly traumatising for new students and their parents, many of whom would have never had a similar experience.

“Parents were gravely concerned, especially our new intake. Some of them are not accustomed to that. But we did our best to assure them that we do have the best interest of their child and safety at hand.”

Braithwaite said the PTA will continue to work with the relevant authorities to ensure safety is maintained.

She said there haad been previous discussions with Ministry of Education (MoE) officials about moving the school, but with a population of approximately 800 students, that was not a feasible option.

“We would have explored options and the logistics involved in basically relocating the school for it to remain as part of the Port of Spain dynamic.

"We were not able to meet any location with the logistics back then, so we would have opted to work with stakeholders such as the police, the Port of Spain City Corporation, etcetera, to ensure that we do our best, and we would have had an understanding with the police for a patrol to remain near the school as a deterrent.”

She said that, however, has not proven as effective as hoped.

“Visuals of the TTPS is no longer a deterrent to criminals…We just have to work with what we have and hope that some sort of reckoning takes place with the (criminal) elements.

"But it's evident they don't have respect for schools or anything else anymore.”

Braithwaite lamented the crime situation and suggested it is up to stakeholders to take measures to seek the students’ interest, as little else can be done.

“It is evident that crime is out of control. The instances are increasing on a daily basis, and unless the school is removed from the Nelson Street zone, we have to work with it as best as possible. Because at the end of the day, the children that are placed in that school have to be given a fair chance at an education.”

Hours after the gunshots, the Ministry of Education (MoE) invited the media to attend a peace walk at Queen’s Park Savannah on October 18, starting at 8 am.

Newsday understands the event was initially supposed to be held two weeks ago but was postponed.

The ministry, in a media release, said the theme of the event is: Non-Violence, Safe Communities, Safe Schools.

It said, “This event coincides with the UN International Day of Non-Violence and is in keeping with the ministry’s Cultural Transformation Policy, as we continue to foster a culture of non- violence within the nation’s schools.”

Braithwaite said she is unsure if the school will be represented at the peace walk, and cannot say if students will go to school on October 18.

She said while the MoE had not given an official position on whether classes will be suspended or not, the hope is that some sort of social intervention will be offered to the children and teachers.

“We will speak with the parent body later on Thursday, but it is the intention that students have access to social services on Monday.

"We are aiming to give teachers the opportunity to have their sessions with social services and employee assistance on Friday.

"So from the PTA position, we will be advising parents to make that decision in the best interest of their children.”

With reporting by Enrique Rupert

This story was originally published with the title 'South East Port of Spain Secondary School dismissed after gunshots' and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

GUNSHOTS were heard outside the South East Port of Spain Secondary School on the morning of October 17.

The incident left students traumatised and led to the school being dismissed early.

Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) president Martin Lum Kin said while the union was thankful no one was injured, it was concerned the incidents could spill onto the compound of the school.

Lum Kin said he was also reliably informed that a standard 3 student of Tranquility Primary School, after being reprimanded by the security officer, returned after school with people who tried to accost the security guard.

“They broke into the compound and attempted to break down the door of the security booth. They were unsuccessful in gaining entry to the security booth but before they left they promised to return and to 'light up' the compound.”

TTUTA called on the Education Ministry to increase and improve school security in areas deemed hotspots. It also called on the TTPS to increase patrols and to have static patrols outside schools.