An Upper Sixth Form potential scholarship winner of Naparima College, San Fernando, who was involved in a face-off with one of his teachers on the issue of homosexuality, said yesterday that some students verbally abuse him because of his sexual orientation, and his US$500 cell phone was smashed.
The young man said he feels threatened. But he added that he is focused on his goal and will not let this obstacle stand in his way.
San Fernando police have taken a statement from the science teacher who in an audio clip, which has gone viral on social media, allegedly threatened to shoot the family of the student she branded as gay.
Police confirmed that Cpl Thomas did take a statement from both the teacher and the student and a file is expected to be submitted to Senior Superintendent Irwin Hackshaw for further instructions.
Education Minister Anthony Garcia confirmed that the mother of the student did contact his office, but he was not yet privy to all of the information and could not yet pronounce on what course of action, if any, the ministry would take.
Last Thursday, the female teacher used the morning assembly to criticise homosexuality and homosexual practice.
The following day, the Upper Sixth student used the same forum to tell his peers it was okay to be gay. His comment offended the teacher who had made the initial comments, so much so that she used class time to tell students at the all-male college that homosexuality was a sin.
She also branded the student who stood up in defence of the gay community as being homosexual and his parents as atheist, and threatened to fix these problems with a gun.
Her comments were recorded and posted on social media.
The young man, who plans to study law, said he is definitely gay, but so are other students at the school. Explaining his stand against the teacher, he said his parents have raised him to be outspoken and defend the defenceless and that is what he did last Friday.