MOE investigates bullying allegations at ASJA Girls’ College
Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhicasookraj@guardian.co.tt
Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly is now overseeing an investigation into allegations of bullying at ASJA Girls’ College in San Fernando involving a Form Four student.
The student’s mother is now contemplating legal action due to concerns over mishandling of the situation. The parent has reported ongoing harassment of her daughter, which she claims has been ignored or mishandled by school officials.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) is currently working to determine the facts surrounding the case.
Speaking to Guardian Media, the mother of the Form Four student said her daughter has faced not only bullying from peers but also mistreatment by certain school staff members after she raised concerns.
Despite reporting the incidents to the San Fernando Police in February, the situation reportedly worsened, the mother said, leading to health issues for the student and a decline in her academic performance.
The parent said that her daughter’s lab book went missing, forcing her to redo her work, which contributed to significant stress and long hours of studying. The mother also noted that false rumours circulating online had added to the distress.
Meanwhile, former Parents Enhancement Association (PEA) president Alisha Mohammed-Stephens expressed dissatisfaction with how the school administration has handled the complaints.
The student, who decided to speak out, cited the case of Jayden Lalchan, who died by suicide this year because of bullying at St Stephen’s College.
She said Lalchan’s tragic passing has had a profound impact, and has inspired many students to “speak out to prevent situations like this happening.”
Contacted for comment, Minister Gadsby-Dolly said, “This is a sensitive issue which the MOE has recently received reports on. Investigations have revealed widely varying stories on both sides. There have been meetings with all parties involved, and those continued this week in an effort to resolve the matter.”
She urged Guardian Media to be sensitive in its reporting of these matters. “There are children involved, and sometimes, with the best of intentions, the matters can spiral out of control on social media, to the further detriment of the children,” she said.
Meanwhile, TTUTA’s first vice president Adesh Dwarika said TTUTA was not informed about the bullying allegations but would investigate. NPTA president Walter Stewart denounced all forms of bullying and called for an investigation from the ministry.
ACP Wayne Mystar recently called on parents to report issues of bullying. He said bullying can lead to criminal charges noting once evidence is found, perpetrators can face the court.
Contacted for a response, school officials did not comment.
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