President of the T&T Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) Devanand Sinanan says he has confidence in the police following reports of a recording circulating on social media warning of terrorist attacks on schools. In the latest recording a male voice claims to have received word that there would be no Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations today.
“The word is that Isis has planned to blow up the schools so please keep your sons and your daughters and your nephews and your grandchildren away from the schools please. This is not no joke, this is not no kicks,” the male voice was heard saying.
Sinanan urged students and teachers to go about their business as usual. He said he is sure the police have effectively treated with the report.
“They would have also advised the ministry accordingly and there will be school as usual tomorrow (today) and the rest of the week,” he said.
“I am assuming that the authorities would take whatever precaution that is necessary to ensure there is the smooth running of school. There will be school as usual.”
Sinanan said there have been bomb threats in the past and on those occasions law enforcement officials maintained a necessary presence.
“We have also called for patrols around certain schools notwithstanding bomb threats to deal with normal instances of school violence and indiscipline.
“In terms of the bomb threats we have been assured by the Ministry of Education that all is well and we have to express our confidence in the authorities,” he added.
Education Minister Anthony Garcia said the matter was reported to the relevant authorities for further investigation and there would be school as usual.
“There will be no disruption to the CXC exams…Ignore that message, as it was somebody with a deranged mind who is trying to instill fear in the minds of our population. It is something we totally reject,” he said over the weekend.
“I am confident that all security measures are in place so that in the event there is any truth to these rumors, we will be prepared…You have absolutely nothing to fear or to believe that would cause any undue stress to the exams.”
Contacted yesterday a police official assured that law enforcement authorities were doing all in their power to ensure there are no disruptions at the various schools.