Noel Thompson, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Several parents whose children attend the Green Island High School in Hanover, are said to be up in arms with the school's administration, after an entire class of 51 pupils were recently beaten and sent home.

The matter was brought to The Gleaner's attention by a parent who was seen sitting one night with his arms folded and staring steadfast at the ground.

"Teacher beat 51 pickney and then send dem home fi come fi dem parents or else dem can't come back in di class," he lamented to himself. "Dat deh teacher must be mad. No sir, something must be wrong," he said.

The Gleaner was informed that a male student was causing problems inside the classroom while a subject was being taught. The teacher reportedly sought the intervention of the vice-principal, Maxine Evans, who it is alleged, whipped all the students and sent them home.

"We (the parents) and the students attended a meeting at the school where the vice-principal apologised and said she would never let it happen again," the parent, who requested anonymity, told The Gleaner. "She told us that nobody would say who exactly was giving the trouble, so she became frustrated and beat everybody."

When contacted for a comment yesterday, Mrs. Evans admitted that an incident did take place, but said she would rather not comment about it over the telephone, and invited The Gleaner to visit her office.

Excessive

Asked if all 51 students had to be beaten, Mrs. Evans replied: "No, everyone did not have to be beaten." She said too, that it was not the entire class that had been beaten as stated by the parents.

Meanwhile, Senator Noel Monteith, State Minister in the Ministry of Education, said he was not aware of the incident. He agreed, however, that if the information was accurate, he thought the punishment might have been a bit excessive.

"Now that it has been brought to my attention I will be asking chief education officer Jasper Lawrence to commence an investigation as soon as possible."