The Ministry of Educational Transformation has expressed “deep regret” following a public altercation recently involving several uniformed students and adults, an incident that has been widely circulated on social media.
In a statement issued Friday, the ministry described the behaviour captured in the videos as “a serious matter” that runs counter to the values of respect, discipline and responsible citizenship that Barbados’ education system seeks to promote.
The ministry reminded the public that all schools operate under a strict zero-tolerance policy for violence, whether such incidents take place on or off school grounds.
Protocols
“Acts of aggression compromise the safety and well-being of our school communities,” the statement said, adding that any breach would be handled in accordance with established protocols.
Officials also commended the school’s principal, deputy principal and teaching staff for their swift, professional intervention.
“Their leadership ensured that all available resources, including guidance counsellors, support staff and relevant external agencies, were activated to address the issue promptly and worked toward a productive and constructive resolution.
“Their actions reflect a commitment not only to resolving the present matter, but also to implementing preventative measures that reduce the likelihood of similar occurrences in the future,” the ministry stated, while reaffirming its full support for the principal and her team.
Recognising the emotional and operational strain such events place on school administrators, the ministry praised their “calm, consistent and student-centred approach”.
Looking ahead, the ministry urged parents and guardians to strengthen cooperation with school personnel, noting that the responsibility of shaping responsible and socially aware citizens must be shared.
“Parents and schools must work collaboratively to reinforce positive behaviours, address concerns as they present themselves in a timely fashion and support every child’s development both at home and at school,” the statement read.
The ministry reiterated its commitment to maintaining safe learning environments
and said it would continue to monitor the matter closely, provide guidance where necessary and uphold policies designed to protect the nation’s children. (PR/NS) Tint testing officers are expecting an increase in activity as Government’s three-month moratorium on the enforcement of new tint laws ends in December.
Shay Newton, a testing officer at the tint station in Oistins, Christ Church, said they examined between ten and 12 vehicles per day, a far cry from September.
“When we first started in the first week [of September], we were getting about 500 cars. Right now, it’s kind of slow, but you could say it fluctuates. We anticipate that coming on to the end of November to December, the numbers will increase again. Coming down to that time, that’s when the public will look at their [tint],” he said.
Newton added that public service vehicle owners, taxi drivers and car rental operators were the ones seeking out the tint tests.
Colleague Deandra Adams said there was an uptick in activity after recent efforts by the Barbados Licensing Authority to publicise the ongoing tint inspections.
“Two weeks ago Licensing did advertising on the radio and when they spoke on it that week, the activity picked up. So, for sure, when it’s publicised, the people will come and inquire but then it dies down,” she added.
Newton said it was primarily windscreen strips or front windows that were outside the regulations.
According to Section 5 of the Road Traffic Act Cap 295, the visible light transmissions allowed for vehicles are:
• 70 per cent for the front windscreen;
• 25 per cent for front windows; and
• 20 per cent for rear windscreen and other windows.
A margin of error of three percentage points will be allowed during tint testing. ( JRN)
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