Board for flogging

THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT of St Leonard's Boys School said yesterday that the disciplinary measures, including the public flogging administered to students arriving late for school, was justified in the circumstances.

In a statement issued yesterday, chairman Ricardo Harrison said they had received a report from principal Joseph King on the matter in which several students were flogged after arriving way past the 7:50 a.m. start of school.

"On Thursday, October 15, 2009 the last day of the first semester break, the principal received a report that pupils of the St Leonard's Boys' School were misbehaving within the vicinity of the Fisheries Complex in Bridgetown and that police had rounded them up and placed them on buses to be brought to school," said Harrison.

"School commences at 7:50 a.m. and the gates are closed for the late registration at 8:30 a.m. About 30 students arrived at the school at about 10:25 a.m. approximately 30 minutes before lunch. They were unruly and hostile," he said.

He added that while the two senior teachers who were at the gate "managing and registering the late students" entering the Richmond Gap, St Michael compound, "a large number of additional students arrived" which added to the "difficult environment".

"Senior teacher, Dr (Victor) Agard, informed the students that he would be administering three lashes per student on entering the compound. Students entered the compound and accepted the lashes, but a number of senior students refused to be flogged and remained outside.

"The majority of them left the area when the principal arrived at the gate. Dr Agard's action, buttressed by the support of the principal and other senior teachers, was instrumental in bringing some measure of order to the situation," Harrison explained.

The chairman noted that by the time King arrived at the gate "the situation was under control". He further instructed Dr Agard to continue the disciplinary action in the deputy principal's office.

The statement continued: "The board understands these events against the challenges that are dealt with on a continuing basis. On three occasions during the preceding week the principal visited the bus terminal and the Eagle Hall area, well after the school's starting time, to ensure that students reported to school.

"The board is fully pleased with the progress the school has made and the clear evidence of improved standards of discipline among the student population. The board fully supports the policies and direction of the principal," it noted. (DS)