Trinidad judge calls for urgent reform to address school violence

By Staff Editor

(Trinidad Guardian) More than 21,000 school suspensions were recorded between 2022 and 2025, prompting High Court Judge Frank Seepersad to call for urgent reform in how the nation addresses school violence and student behaviour.

In his address at the 2025 graduation ceremony of Dayanand Memorial Vedic School on Friday, Justice Seepersad described the statistics as “alarming,” noting that they point to deeper issues within homes and communities.

“It was revealed this week that over the last three years, approximately 21,661 school children were suspended. This is alarming. It suggests that we have to examine our collective behaviour and critical changes urgently are required,” he said.

He warned that students are mirroring dysfunctional family behaviour, adding, “It takes a village to raise a child and the statistics demonstrate that too many families in our Republic are dysfunctional as children mirror the behaviour that they see.”

Seepersad urged students to be alert as they transition to secondary school.

“Sadly, our schools are not as safe as they once were and as you enter secondary school, you have to adopt a mind set that you will not be a victim. You will need to be vigilant and you must reject and report any form of bullying.”

He also addressed online conduct, advising students to think before they post.

“Create and utilise safe online spaces and pause before you post. Always reflect on whether you would want your grandparents, parents, or teachers to come across the material which you intend to upload onto the World Wide Web and if know that you would not want them to see it, do not post it,” he advised.

Justice Seepersad also explained the legal framework surrounding student misconduct.

“In most modern societies, children are shielded from the full consequences of the law when they commit certain actions. In very simple terms, the law recognises that children under the age of seven are ‘Doli Incapax’. This just means that children under that age are incapable of forming criminal intent.”

He said while children between 7 and 14 can sometimes be held legally irresponsible, those between 14 and 18 are not afforded the same protection.

“A focused, measured, and mature approach is therefore needed to ensure that culpable children are simultaneously held to account and rehabilitated.

“Those who are unable to form the requisite criminal intent should be placed in supervised spaces where they can be afforded the emotional, physiological, and financial support which they require to course correct,” he explained.

Also addressing the students, Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe pledged to improve school infrastructure, promising “we will continue to make your school environment more comfortable.” He also urged parents to pay attention to their children’s well-being.

“Look out for your children,” he said, highlighting the ministry’s focus on tackling childhood obesity.

“You are moving in the right direction in terms of dealing with exercise and childhood obesity, which is something that we at the Ministry of Health are taking a very keen interest in.”

Bodoe reminded students that many decisions lie ahead, including how they use technology. Holding up a phone, he said, “This thing here can either make you or it can break you… use it for the right reason. It can assist you, it can help you. But also, if you use it in the wrong way, it can take you down.”

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