Caption: Derek Cooper addresses members of the PTA

Summary

• Death threats have been made against parents and teachers at Rio Claro East Secondary School, disrupting normal activities.
• PTA president Derek Cooper says the school is not being taken seriously because it is not considered a “prestige” school.
• The threats, sent via social media under the name “Kevin Ramdial,” resurfaced on Sunday after previously subsiding.
• Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath says the school remains safe, with security protocols and police/MTS patrols in place, and investigations ongoing.
• The PTA protested outside the school on Thursday, citing growing fear and stress among students, parents, and staff.

 

By Sue-Ann Wayow

DEATH threats continue to be made against parents and teachers at Rio Claro East Secondary School.

President of the school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Derek Cooper, told AZP News on Thursday that he believes the school is not being taken seriously because it is not a “so-called prestige school.”

“We think we are not being taken seriously because—parents will say it—if this was another so-called prestige school or some school in Port of Spain, you would have seen some sort of resolution,” he said.

“It is disrupting school. You can’t have sports, you can’t have a marathon. We have reached a breaking point where it is either we make or break here,” Cooper added.

However, Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath told AZP News that the school remains safe, emphasising that although threats were made, none has been acted upon and classes have continued.

“The school remains secure,” Dr Dowlath said, adding that all entry and exit protocols have been implemented, especially for visitors.

On Thursday, the PTA staged a protest outside the school to again draw public and the relevant authorities’ attention to the gravity of the situation.

Cooper said the threats, which began last year, had subsided but resumed on Sunday. The threats have been sent via social media under the name “Kevin Ramdial.”

Almost three weeks ago, Dr Dowlath, Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander, Member of Parliament for Mayaro Nicholas Morris, and DCP Junior Benjamin visited the school.

Interim security measures were put in place, including having police officers stationed at the school.

“They did give us the assurance that an arrest was imminent and it would be pretty soon,” Cooper said. “The threats subsided for a little while, and then they started back again.”

He said he received two threats to his life on Sunday and Monday. Threats were also made against the principal and teachers, with some teachers named.

“They said they will kill me. Then the other one, they said they will kill me and my brother,” he said.

Cooper said that the day before the funeral of murdered CNC3 freelance camerawoman Kellyann Lemessy, the same person issued a message saying: “Kelly Ann Lemessey, I want to hear you open your mouth about me now.”

He said parents held back from taking action to allow due process to apprehend the person or persons involved, but too much time was passing, children were becoming stressed, and parents were fearful for their children’s lives.

Since the threats resumed on Sunday, Cooper said he reached out to the investigator and was told “things [are] progressing—things might happen sooner than we think.”

And while most schools were gearing up for Carnival activities, Cooper said, “At this time, based on this threat, we are avoiding any sort of gathering and those kinds of things.”

Dr Dowlath said patrols are being conducted by officers attached to the Rio Claro Police Station, and the National Maintenance Training and Security Company (MTS) is also conducting regular patrols during the school day.

He said the principal remains in regular contact with Benjamin, informing him of any emerging issues.

“I want to say to all the stakeholders that the school remains safe,” Dr Dowlath said. “The police are following up on these threats—the cybercrime unit—we are expecting to hear from them very soon. What is more important is that regular school is going on in a safe and secure environment.”

The minister also said that since January 22, ministry staff have been assisting teachers who may be experiencing mental stress