A video showing a student in school uniform involved in a scuffle with a security guard has gone viral across the island, prompting national discussion on youth behaviour, the role of parents, and the impact of social media on public perception.
The incident that occurred last week, on Bridge Street, Castries, stemmed from a disagreement between the student and a security guard within a HomeGoods store in the capital. The student and security officer then took their physical altercation to the open street, being later separated by police officers.
Education Minister Kenson Casimir, during a February 16th presser, weighed in on the incident, highlighting the importance of de-escalation skills among security personnel.
He said, “Most people are making it seem like the security got beaten. The security, for all intents and purposes, seems to be trying to just hold on to this individual. I just think that sometimes you want a mixed approach in terms of aggression and coming in a situation and saying the right things to de-escalate. I don’t think the situation was necessarily de-escalated in an effective manner. So, it means that even in our jobs, we have to decide how we put programs together to allow people that we employ to learn certain skills.”
The Minister also raised questions about parental accountability.
“That is left to be discussed. It’s something I can raise in cabinet to say, OK, what are some of the approaches we can have that really holds a parent more responsible for the action of a child? And then you know for sure,” Casimir explained.
He added, “I can well imagine that might be a parent who may be at work at that particular time and may have given every instruction for the child to be at home by 4 o’clock and 4.30, and the child may not have adhered to being home at that time. What actually is the punishment that you can give to the parent, therefore, when from your vantage point, let’s just say as a single mother, that you have done everything in your power to provide that level of guidance to the individual and they choose their own path.”
The incident has also drawn attention to broader plans for youth engagement. Minister Casimir pointed to upcoming initiatives to provide young people with meaningful activities, noting, “You will be hearing the pronouncements by the Prime Minister when we get to the budget on increased funding towards getting young men in meaningful activities.”
As debate continues, the viral video has sparked important questions about discipline, responsibility, and the systems needed to support both students and parents in Saint Lucia’s schools.