Minister wary as student expulsions jump by 467% in last year

There has been a staggering 467 per cent increase in student expulsions over the past academic year, Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly said yesterday.

During her contribution to the 2025 Budget debate, Gadsby-Dolly revealed that 17 students were expelled in the last academic year, compared to just three the previous year. Additionally, 65 students received warning letters threatening expulsion.

“This is not a matter of boasting or joy, you know. But this is to say to parents, we cannot allow your children to disrupt our schools. Please, take control of your children!” she said.

Addressing the issue of undisciplined students, the minister warned that parents will face consequences if they upset the balance Government is striving to maintain in schools. This approach aligns with the National School Discipline Matrix approved in 2022.

“The Ministry of Education has a National School Discipline Matrix for a reason and parents have a responsibility to take care of your children. Don’t leave that to the teachers. And I want to tell you that expulsion is an option for the Ministry of Education and we have not been afraid to use it when your child, despite our best efforts, is disrupting our schools. There are children who have come there to learn. We have a responsibility to create and to maintain a safe space.”

In light of the tragic death of St Stephen’s College student Jayden Lalchan, the minister acknowledged that cyberbullying had become a significant challenge.

She noted that she has spoken with the National Security Minister about this pressing issue.

“Coming out of this tragic situation, we have recognised that we have a national culture of bullying. It happens on social media like clockwork and we, I think, have started to understand the effect this can have not only on school children but on anyone in this country. Because, sadly, Jayden’s life is gone but we have seen in this week alone, two other suicides taking place. We can point to situations in schools—2010, 2011, 2013, 2014—where school children have taken their lives,” she said.

Gadsby-Dolly stressed this was a national problem that needs to be confronted and urged the population to be kinder to one another.

On a more positive note, Gadsby-Dolly reported a decline in school violence. She said in the 2023-2024 academic year there were 1,116 fights and assaults in term one, which decreased to 786 in term two and 713 in term three.

However, she pointed out that during the last academic year, 44 misbehaving students were transferred from secondary schools to Servol—a vocational institution that focuses on the development of people in marginalised communities.

“That is in an effort to help these students have another chance at transformation in an environment where they will be able to get the support that they need. We are not accepting students who are disrupting our schools. We are doing what is required but we don’t want to put students into a situation where they have absolutely no option and that is where the partnership with Servol and with MILAT is taking place now.”

An agreement was signed with Servol last year, at which time only two students had been transferred, she said.

She praised the Schools of Focus and Remedial Education Programme, now in its second year, which involves 106 schools—80 primary and 26 secondary—and targets students who are leaving without qualifications. These students often face discipline, performance, and socio-economic challenges.

“If we do not address these students in these schools now, in a serious way, and put resources here, then we will put more resources in social development, we will put more resources into national security. We don’t want to do it there so it’s better we deal with it here,” she said.

Gadsby-Dolly said the ministry has been piloting restorative practices at 11 schools over the last academic year, teaching students how to handle conflict and recover from tragedy. The ministry has also hired over 80 school social workers and 40 guidance counsellors, bringing the total to 227 school social workers and 282 guidance counsellors, she said.

In addition, Gadsby-Dolly said as part of Government’s digital transformation initiative, a letter of award was signed for $3.9 million for an e-book pilot project, which will be implemented across 106 schools. It will focus on Mathematics and English, benefitting 25,000 students. An award was also signed for an online numeracy programme aimed at 80,000 students.

Regarding planned school upgrades, she said 15 schools have been earmarked and are awaiting loan funding, while 27 projects are currently in progress.

She also criticised former education minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh, who has frequently condemned the Government’s failure to address emergency school repairs, stating he knows better.

Gadsby-Dolly said in the 2023-2024 period, 735 emergency projects were completed, with $126 of the $128 million allocated being utilised. Additionally, 20 schools were constructed, eight school blocks were built and three projects are ongoing.

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