00:00The Education Ministry says after consultations and recommendations from education stakeholders
00:05and a T&T police service, the revised National School Code of Conduct was drafted and launched.
00:12Indiscipline remains a serious concern for teaching staff,
00:15and the ministry notes that parents want fairness and transparency in the disciplinary process.
00:21According to Education Minister Dr. Michael Dowlath,
00:24there were over 22,000 suspensions from the years 2022 to 2025, with a spike in violence and assaults.
00:33In our highest-risk secondary schools, violence-related suspensions were consistently high.
00:40In 2023-24, there were 875, 2024-25, 738, and 2025-26, 776.
00:53Possession and use-related infractions, including drugs, weapons, and vaping products, also remain significant.
01:03The school-oriented policing program has managed to curb some of those suspensions.
01:08Suspensions during lunchtime declined by approximately 15%.
01:13Suspension after school declined by approximately 25%.
01:18However, incidents during class time, with a member of staff present, increased from 401 to 544.
01:29Now, what does that tell us?
01:31It tells us, while supervision outside the classroom improved,
01:37behavioral pressure has shifted into the classroom environment.
01:41Dr. Dowlath calls policing a stabilizing measure, but not a substitute for proper leadership and management
01:48and student support services in the nation's schools.
01:52The revised NSCC, as we will call it for short, firmly establishes zero tolerance for weapons,
02:01for assault, for drug trafficking, sexual misconduct, gang-related activities.
02:09He says it also strengthens parental involvement, which is needed.
02:13According to the Education Minister, the misuse of technology has been factored in,
02:18including that of artificial intelligence and cyberbullying.
02:22School Supervisor 3, under the St. Patrick District, Soren Bijaram, calls the new policy comprehensive.
02:28The revised NSCC consolidates the 2018 National School Code of Conduct,
02:36the school discipline matrix, and the student reintegration protocols.
02:41He says it also offers enhancement through a four-tier discipline matrix,
02:46where offenses are categorized as minor, moderate, major, and severe.
02:51With proportionate responses for each category.
02:55Clear reintegration pathways to support students returning to school following suspension.
03:03Greater emphasis on restorative practices and behavioral support alongside appropriate consequences.
03:11Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
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