Pupils and teachers are expected back at the San Fernando Seventh Day Adventist School today, following Monday’s scare in which a sexual predator attempted to coerce a nine-year-old girl into having sex with him.
But despite a meeting held by the school’s board to assure parents that security measures were being put in place, many parents were still anxious about their children’s safety.
When the T&T Guardian visited the school yesterday, razor wire was being installed along the perimeter of the school while the school’s board was locked in a meeting with parents and teachers at the San Fernando Seventh Day Adventist Church.
In addition to the razor wire, there was a proposal to hire an additional security guard to patrol the school’s compound while another officer guards the entrance. However, it was yet to be determined who would foot the bill for the additional security.
On Monday, a man who was believed to have had an altercation with the school’s janitor and security guard on previous occasions, entered the school compound and went into the girls’ washroom.
Dressed in a green long-sleeved jersey and three-quarter pants, he told the girls that he was doing repairs. However, one of the pupils reported seeing him peering over a wall as she entered the toilet. Another pupil said she found him sitting on a toilet with his pants down and he made a gesture for her to have oral sex with him. On seeing the man, most of the pupils left the washroom without using it.
A source said it was a female teacher who went to check on the pupils outside and saw the man as he jumped over a wall into a neighbouring property.
“Parents wanted a firm confirmation that their children will be safe and many were not happy with how the situation was handled. They wanted to know what mechanisms are being put in place in case an intruder comes back again. The parents are not 100 per cent satisfied, many of them found that the meeting was held too late and thought it should have been held since Tuesday.”
TTUTA president Lynsley Doodhai said teachers will also return to school today.
Of the 15-member staff, 13 are women, including the principal Evelette Fournillier, janitors and the lone female security guard.