Padarath calls for Jayden Lalchan anti-bullying law

Senior Political Reporter

UNC MP Barry Padarath yesterday called for the Government to join the Opposition to bring the Jayden Lalchan anti-bullying law into being, plus a law on parental responsibility regarding children who commit crimes.

And Padarath pledged a UNC government would implement it if the PNM Government did not.

Padarath did so in Parliament yesterday, piloting a motion seeking measures against bullying following the death in October of Lalchan, who was his constituent.

Lalchan, a Form Four student of St Stephen’s College, Princes Town, died by suicide after years of alleged bullying from his peers. Princes Town residents staged protest marches due to the situation.

Padarath noted that several UNC MPs yesterday wore orange or blue, the international colours against bullying and school violence. Padarath’s motion cited students being subjected to bullying as a result of violence, gang infiltration and extortion at schools, resulting in an ongoing crisis “left unattended by authorities.”

Accusing the Government of failing to properly implement plans and policies and engage qualified personnel to address the problem, Padarath called for adequate support and resources for students’ protection.

“Despite spending $70B in ten years on education and a further $80B in national security, we’re no better off in addressing school violence, bullying and extortion at schools,” Padarath said, noting extortion existed for years with older students taxing others on lunches or funds.

Padarath said while there may be existing laws on bullying, school violence, extortion and gang infiltration, he was seeking a proper legislative framework on specific anti-bullying offences.

“And should a UNC government enter office—when a UNC government enters office—if the present government fails to do this, we’ll bring stand-alone law and we’ll name it the Jayden Lalchan Anti Bullying Act of T&T.”

“It will deal with specific offences, giving legislative teeth, specifying ways in which schools will report to the Child Protection Unit. Today cannot be another talk shop—children have died in T&T.”

Admitting his style was at times combative, Padarath said the tone of yesterday’s debate should not be combative but should identify what the problems are, what was done or not, and “what we intend to do.”

He said, “Today we’re called upon to rise beyond politics and division and embrace the collective responsibility of transforming our schools and communities to sanctuaries of safety, empowerment and hope.

“It’s my sincere hope this debate will be statement to our shared humanity … together we can craft solutions that echo loudly,” he added.

Padarath, who called for the minister to answer questions on how school violence is handled, also sought an explanation on reports that TTPS could not go forward to see if there was evidence on the Lalchan case as they were refused access to students and teachers of St Stephen’s College by the ministry.

He said a big part of addressing bullying and related issues concerned reprisal. He said many parents and students detailed what Lalchan suffered but didn’t come forward since “in Princes Town there’s the issue of reprisal, and it’s known even among Southern Division officers what I’m speaking of,” Padarath added.

Saying drastic times called for drastic action, Padarath reinforced calls for parental responsibility law.

“It will set clear pathways on definition, offences, punishment and rehabilitation,” he said.

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