Richard Troupe has commended the two students who stepped in to part the fight between their teacher and classmate.
The acting director of Safety and Security in Schools, Richard Troupe, has commended the students who stepped in to de-escalate a fight between their teacher and classmate at Tivoli Gardens High.
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Richard Troupe, acting director of Safety and Security in Schools, and JTA President Winston Smith
Classes have been suspended at Tivoli Gardens High School in Kingston following a viral video on Monday showing a physical altercation between a student and a teacher.
Only students sitting CXC exams are being allowed on the compound.
A team from the Ministry of Education, led by acting director of Safety and Security in Schools, Richard Troupe, is investigating the incident.
In an interview with Radio Jamaica News, Mr. Troupe said the team met with administrators at the school on Tuesday morning.
He said the video reflects the need for the teaching of conflict management in schools, as the altercation again highlights the concerning incidence of violence in schools.
Of particular concern, too, is the fact that the fight was captured on video and posted to social media. This, Mr. Troupe said, demonstrated "how irresponsible we can be in such matters".
However, he commended those students seen in the video who attempted to de-escalate the tussle between student and teacher.
The physical confrontation between the 16-year-old student and the teacher happened about 11 o'clock Monday morning.
It's reported that class was in session when the student entered, causing a disturbance.
He was asked by the teacher to leave, but refused, and this led to a fight.
The teacher sustained injuries, including to her face.
The student was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and malicious destruction of property as the teacher's glasses were damaged.
He was granted station bail and is scheduled to appear in court on June 21.
Mr. Troupe said, to date, 104 primary and high schools have benefitted from a partnership with the Ministry of Justice in conflict management training.
Another 105 schools will be engaged in the Restorative Practices Training in the upcoming school year.
Police
Senior Superintendent Michael Phipps, head of the Kingston Western Police, told Radio Jamaica News that the police have been trying without success to arrange intervention meetings with Tivoli High School principal, Marvin Johnson, in light of disciplinary issues at the school.
He said the school is among several in the police division which have been experiencing challenges.
SSP Phipps said meetings have been held with most principals in Kingston Western and efforts are being made to address the issues.
JTA defends teacher
Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) President Winston Smith has come to the defence of the teacher in the video amid criticism that she should have shown restraint.
Mr. Smith said an investigation is under way to determine how the altercation started. However, he said he does not believe that a teacher would initiate violence against a student.
"The argument will always be put that the teachers should be the professional in the classroom and, yes, we agree. But when you're provoked beyond measure, it is a different thing," he argued, adding that JTA sympathises with the teacher.
Mr. Smith said teachers in general are concerned that the classroom is no longer safe and are alarmed by how "readily it is for students of varying ages to feel it is okay to execute violence on them".
He urged the society to condemn anti-social behaviour among students, as he called especially for parents to "take charge of your children...[and] have them understand that you go to school to learn".
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