Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – The Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) has praised the brave actions of a teacher at Moruga Secondary School who shielded a female student from a group of girls attacking her in a classroom.
TTUTA President Martin Lum Kin commended the teacher for his selfless act, urging male teachers to exercise caution when intervening in fights involving female students. Lum Kin emphasized the importance of assessing the situation before getting involved.
In a viral video of the incident circulating on social media, the teacher can be seen trying to stop the assault before physically protecting the victim with his body. He was unfortunately also attacked by the assailants in the process.
Lum Kin clarified in a phone interview that the educator faced no disciplinary action for his intervention, emphasizing TTUTA’s support for the teacher while also advising caution for male teachers in similar situations. The association believes that investigations by the school are necessary, with potential disciplinary actions including suspension or expulsion.
The Minister of Education was unavailable for comment regarding the incident, which comes after an earlier altercation at Moruga Secondary School between a teacher and a student that went viral in January.
TTUTA has expressed concerns over a recent rise in school violence, calling on the Ministry of Education to provide more support to address discipline issues. Lum Kin highlighted the need for interventions tailored to students with a history of violent behavior, emphasizing the importance of culturally appropriate approaches.
Psychologist Sarah Subah underscored the complex factors contributing to violent behavior among students, advocating for more training for professionals and comprehensive assessments for at-risk individuals. Subah emphasized the role of parental involvement in teaching conflict resolution and emotional regulation skills early on to prevent further incidents.