The police have launched a criminal investigation into a fight which took place outside the Barataria North Secondary School on Monday.
It has been reported that seven students were ambushed by 25 others as they left the school compound. Several of them sustained injuries, including one male student who is reportedly in a critical condition at hospital.
Speaking with Guardian Media on the matter on Wednesday, Senior Supt of the North Eastern Division, Winston Maharaj, said the police referred the injured students to the hospital and will collect medical certificates on their behalf.
He also said he had made arrangements for statements to be recorded by all parties involved and a file submitted.
“And we will decide what direction we are going from there...In terms of criminal proceedings, if any criminal proceedings come by way of the investigation, we will take the necessary action,” he said.
In the meantime, Maharaj said other interventions would be made through the community police and the Victims and Witness Support Unit (VWSU) of the T&T Police Service.
He explained that the community police will speak to the students involved and the general school population, while the VWSU will engage the injured children.
But while this is the work to be done, Maharaj had some strong words for the parents of the perpetrators.
“Parents, get your act together, don’t rely on the police or other authorities to do your job,” he said.
He lamented that parents needed to properly socialise and discipline their children because how they behave in public was a reflection of their homes.
That being said, in instances like these, he said, “It is a failure on the part of parenting.”
However, Maharaj said the police will do what is required when required.
He is also awaiting a report from the officers of the Barataria Police Station on why there was not a presence outside the school when the incident occurred, since it is one of the trouble schools on the Ministry of Education’s list.
“Barataria South is one of the schools that I have detailed patrols to be present at the beginning and end of school every day. Now I am a bit worried and troubled hearing this report on the news,” he said.
The fracas outside the school was said to be an escalation of an incident which took place inside the school earlier in the day.
Parents of the injured students are reportedly angered by the situation and the school’s handling of it and plan to take civil legal action.
Guardian Media reached out to Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly for comment and an update on the matter, but none was received up to late Wednesday.