Students on video tossing around school furniture

The wilful destruction of school furniture by students can lead to expulsion or even criminal charges.

Last week, a 12-second video began making the rounds on social media, showing two students, a male and female, kicking over furniture in a classroom, with the female using expletives during the destructive act.

She speaks about “paying my money” and says something about “lunch,” but for the most part what she is trying to express is drowned out by the sound of crashing furniture.

The duo, dressed in full uniform, the male wearing a hat, is said to have been filmed in a classroom at the Belair based West St George Secondary School.

The recording also shows empty food containers and what appears to be rice littering the classroom.

In response to the video, senior education officer in the Ministry of Education Dixton Findlay has called on students to take care of the furniture, books and equipment that are provided at the various schools.

Speaking at a FLOW scholarship ceremony at Frenches House on Wednesday, Findlay said that too many students believe they can damage school property, but they must take into consideration that the property does not belong only to the Government, but to the users as well.

“I want to warn students that Section 145 of the Education Act outlines the consequences when you damage any property in school,” said Findlay, who added that students under the age of 16 can be fined up EC$500, if they are convicted of damaging school property.

He further noted that if they are over 16, they can be either imprisoned for three months, fined EC$500 or both.  

Findlay said that each year, the Ministry of Education invests hundreds of dollars to repair and replace furniture.

Last Monday in Parliament, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves also weighed in on the issue, noting that acts of this nature need to be addressed by the Ministry of Education and the students’ parents.(LC)