Armed police had to be called in to restore order following a series of fights at the South East Port-of-Spain Secondary school (SEPoS) yesterday.
A major fight broke out at around 12.35 pm at the Nelson Street, Port-of-Spain school, leading to six other skirmishes thereafter throughout the afternoon.
During one of the other incidents after police arrived at the school, one student was pepper-sprayed by the officers after she refused to desist from acting in an aggressive manner towards the lawmen and other students.
One student also had to receive medical treatment at hospital after suffering an asthma attack as a result of the incidents.
When Guardian Media visited the school around 2 pm, students were being ushered out of the compound by officers from the Inter Agency Task Force, who were also joined by personnel from the Besson Street Police Station.
One male student claimed the initial fight began after Form Five girls began fighting with Form Two girls. While he was unable to say what triggered the fight, he expressed fear that further incidents could result in innocent students sustaining injuries.
The principal later declined to speak with the media.
The incident follows another one at the Tabaquite Secondary School on March 3, where police were also called to intervene after a series of fights occurred there.
During one incident which was recorded and posted to social media, a female student was seen resisting a female security guard.
A 16-year-old student’s front teeth were later damaged after she was struck in the face several times during one of the fights.
National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds last week said he was disturbed by the growing number of fights plaguing the education system.
