School officials yesterday blocked media workers from covering the anti-bullying launch initiated by Princes Town MP Barry Padarath at the Iere Village Government Primary School.
Padarath, who addressed the media outside the school gates, said he was informed that it was the school’s policy that media workers were not to enter the school without permission from the Education Ministry. “I don’t want to drag the school into a political issue so I quite understand their position. At another point in time, I will organise other anti-bullying initiatives,” Padarath said.
He added: “It is a primary school, I didn’t invite the media and I was told the policy of the school was to not allow the media on the compound. I abide by that. I understand that children’s privacy has to be respected and we should not be politicising any issue using the medium of children.” In his address to the pupils, Padarath said he spoke about discipline, respect and tolerance.
Saying the anti-bullying initiative was the “genesis of something great,” Padarath said within the space of two years, five people committed suicide in Mathilda, Princes Town, because of bullying. He said scores of people had contacted him pledging support for his initiative. However, Padarath said he was disappointed that his parliamentary colleagues—Finance Minister Colm Imbert and Youth Affairs Minister Darryl Smith—did not come onboard.
“They have demonstrated by their actions that they are unable to uphold their oath in office to serve all manner of people,” Padarath added. He also called on the Government to give its position on bullying and to say whether it would support anti-bullying legislation.
Padarath said he intended to speak to Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar to bring anti-bullying legislation in Parliament. He also said he was willing to work with any other representative or organisation with the intention of raising awareness on the anti-bullying campaign, including youth pioneer Jeremy Rodriguez.
Since he announced his drive, Padarath was criticised by Rodriguez’s family for politicising the anti-bullying campaign.