PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):
THE MINISTRY of Educa-tion is investigating a report in which a male teacher at a school in east Trinidad allegedly sexually assaulted a 13-year-old pupil and sent nude cellphone photographs of himself to other schoolgirls.
The educator, who teaches the rural school's Standard Five Secondary Assessment Examination class, is now the subject of a police and Education Ministry investigation.
The ministry is said to be moving to suspend the teacher and police have begun recording statements and getting photo-graphic evidence from girls who were allegedly involved.
According to reports the girl who is alleged to have been assaulted is related to the teacher.
It is understood that the assault happened late last year, but police first heard of the incident involving the cellphones on the weekend.
The teacher is alleged to have taken obscene photographs of himself and given them to several girls.
Corporate communications officer at the ministry, Mervyn Crichlow, confirmed that an investigation was being conducted into both allegations.
INVESTIGATION
Crichlow said the investigation began last week after reports surfaced that the teacher had been sending the lewd photographs to the pupils.
"We are continuing to investigate and we intend to let the investigations take their course," Crichlow said.
He added that the ministry had a policy of zero-tolerance in such incidents and it would continue to emphasise morals and values through the implementation of health, family life and abstinence clubs at the schools.
Crichlow said once the investigation was completed the ministry would decide what action, if any, would be taken against the teacher.
President of T&T Unified Teachers' Association, Clyde Permell, is out of the country, and was unavailable for comment.
TTUTA's office supervisor, Marva Agostini, said, however, the union would also investigate.
It is the latest in a number of incidents involving teachers and pupils in recent times.
