Senior Reporter
kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt
While Ministry of Education (MoE) data reveals more than 500 school bullying incidents that resulted in student suspensions over the past two years, acting Chief Education Officer Aaron Ramrattan reports a declining trend.
Speaking at a Joint Select Committee (JSC) on Social Services and Public Administration enquiry into school underperformance and the adequacy of the Student Support Services Division (SSSD), Ramrattan disclosed that 77 bullying cases were reported in primary schools and 470 in secondary schools between 2022 and the present. Each incident led to suspensions following investigations. He did not give comparative figures to show the declining trend, however.
JSC chairman Paul Richards noted that while bullying was not a new issue, it had garnered significant attention in recent weeks, appearing prominently in mainstream media.
“It seems to be intensifying based on anecdotal reports,” Richards said. He pointed out that the information suggested incidents were reported but not effectively managed at the school level.
Outlining the MoE’s protocols, Ramrattan explained that students typically report bullying incidents to their class teacher, form teacher, or dean of discipline. Investigations are then conducted, with schools addressing the issues and sometimes involving parents. In more severe cases, referrals are made to the SSSD for intervention.
However, the role of social media in amplifying incidents remains a challenge. “Several cases are posted on social media before schools even get a chance to address them,” Ramrattan stated.
He said while the MoE is concerned about each incident, the way these cases go viral does not mean they are being ignored or treated lightly.
Acknowledging gaps in reporting, Ramrattan agreed with JSC member David Nakhid that some bullying incidents go unreported. He emphasised that schools have student councils and home periods to encourage students to voice their concerns. Additionally, in 2023, the MoE launched its Cultural Transformation Policy, which includes initiatives to engage students in positive behaviours and a “No to Violence” campaign aimed at tackling bullying and other forms of indiscipline.
Rising school dropouts
Beyond bullying, the ministry is also grappling with troubling dropout rates. Between 2020 and 2021, over 2,000 students left primary and secondary schools. Ramrattan attributed this to various factors, including challenging home and community circumstances.
Data presented to the JSC shows a 108 per cent increase in primary school dropouts, rising from 88 students in the 2021/2022 academic year to 183 in 2022/2023. The problem is even more acute in secondary schools, where 1,653 students dropped out between 2020 and 2023.
“Some parents opted to homeschool their children during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, while others transferred them to private schools,” Ramrattan explained.
Acting Director of School Supervision, Vashi Ramdeen-Steele, highlighted the multifaceted nature of the dropout issue, stating that some reasons are difficult for school principals to ascertain from parents. However, she clarified that this does not necessarily mean students are idle or unproductive.
“Principals are supposed to reach out to the parents to find out what is happening with the child. Sometimes, a 16 year old may not have to be in school. They might prefer to work with their father in a plumbing shop. These factors influence the dropout data,” Ramdeen-Steele said.
