The father who was videotaped slapping and punching school children from the Speyside High School has apologised. The video was widely shared on social media.
“I have apologised to the children’s parents and told them to take them (children) to the doctor and I will pay the bill,” the man, who does not want to be named told Guardian Media, on Thursday.
His daughter, who attends the Roxborough Secondary School, was suspended for seven days for her involvement in the brawl, which took place in Roxborough. He said he did not agree with his daughter’s suspension from school.
He said people could say what they wanted about him, but they didn’t know what happened, to cause the fight.
“I am talking the truth. If they had slapped my daughter for a reason, I would not be vexed,” the father said.
Adding:” All I wanted to do was part the fight, but when I got there, I see the girl slap my daughter and three of them (children) were on her. I slapped the girl for her to cool herself.”
He said he did the “right thing” and “did not set out to abuse anyone.”
He said he “does not care” what people were saying about him and wondered if they would have acted differently, faced with the same scenario.
“They not watching school children’s actions. They behaving like I have done the worse crime in the world,” the father said.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Anthony Garcia has condemned the man’s actions.
He pointed out that the Education Ministry has implemented plans to address indiscipline in schools and so far, have successfully reduced the number of incidents of school violence.
Garcia told Guardian Media that while he understood the father’s need to protect his child, his actions must be frowned upon.
The minister is encouraging parents to get involved in their children’s school via parent-teacher associations or parent support groups.
He said it is important that parents, teachers and school administrators, have a solid working relationship to ensure a safe environment for the nation’s children.
Tobago police and the Division of Education have launched investigations into the brawl.