Pranksters intent on disrupting schools and other places of institutional learning were yesterday sent a stern warning by Education Minister Anthony Garcia, who said they would be dealt with expeditiously and could face charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
He said so following the panic caused at the Point Fortin Roman Catholic Primary School and the University of the West Indies due to the threat of possible explosive devices.
Speaking at a media conference at the his St Clair offices yesterday, Garcia referred to the pranksters as those with deranged minds.
“When something like this happens and a school closes, those 350 students (average number) would have been denied an entire day of education. We are not going to leave any stone unturned in this matter,” Garcia said.
Asked whether or not devices like the lighter should be sold to the public, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Dr Lovell Francis, said logically the answer is no. However, he said he believes it was an issue to be addressed by the Minister of Trade.
Garcia said in Point Fortin, the primary school’s Crisis Management Team (CMT) members sprung into action. He said CMT was a proactive measure undertaken and implemented in all schools following threats to the safety and security of schools via the whatsapp voice notes that went viral last week.
“We have heightened security in all schools and I can guarantee the parents, students and teachers that all will be safe. The situation in Point Fortin is under control and the school will be ready for occupation tomorrow (today). Have no fear,” Garcia said.
TTUTA first vice-president Antonia Des Freitas, who described the situation as frightening, said they welcomed any move by the ministry to heighten safety and security measures at all schools.
“It is a discussion that we have with the ministry every time when we meet. The ministry has assured us that every school has its full quota of security personnel as required.
"And if they have additional resources in manpower we will welcome that. It has been our persistent call to ensure maximum security at all times, even before threats of this nature were being made,” she added. —Rhondor Dowlat