When a child runs and is hit by a car, for fear of bullying is when a country pays attention to a sad situation. That was Barbados, in the USA it has been worse – children commit suicide to escape a bully! The UK plans to craft new laws or modify old ones to not only hold the perpetrator responsible but the Parents as well!

Having had crap happen to me in my own childhood I can heartily agree – when I attended Mrs Taylor’s Private School in Navy Road there was a game called “TOES-day” where those in hard shoes would look for those in sneakers (no hard & fast dress code, a guideline was in place instead) and having had my foot mashed by what felt like steel-capped boots there was one time I went to hide in the bathroom and ended up mashing my finger as I slammed the door shut (3rd on left hand, nail looks weird to this day)…

It took me nearly losing my finger to stop TOES-day. What was the reaction?

It was just a little blood, no big deal – you stopped real fun, man! That was a similar reaction at Harrison College in First Form when late auctioneer Harold Bowen‘s son David (5th Former and a big pale slug, like a human Jabba the Hut) nearly broke my thumb because I refused to give him my lunch money… I was considered a snitch as I complained to my Parents… Richard Bourne whose father worked at Collins on Broad Street was saying that Bowen should really have snapped my arm off! , who’s now at Terra Caribbean, also hurled similar epithets (they were in either 2nd or 3rd Form at the time) – no one said I was brave to make a stand and try and stop the nonsense. My daring to inform my parents was considered a weakness?

Even in 4th form there was a time when a boy held a knife to my throat (not sure if he’s still alive, his surname was Nurse) because I would not give him answers in a French test… He only stopped when I calmy lied there’s a Police van and I will yell, he ran immediately!

Another time, four guys tried to gang up on me as I started and led a Resistance to NOT pay to use the then sole Water Fountain which was diagonally opposite the canteen. I made the situation known to a Prefect and they were flogged, I had Death threats from them and my Father threatened Harrison’s with a lawsuit if one hair was turned on my head (don’t mind he did as badly or worse – he must do it first) – I am not sure, but either one or two of the creeps got expelled. One of them reminds me of the incident to this day when I see him, he also still carries a grudge!

So as I said before – it is no surprise when it takes drastic steps for Barbados to recognise a trend which is slapping them on the back of their collective head… Luckily, Education Minister claims he will continue a zero-tolerance policy and reinforce with a specialised campaign to sensitise young Bajans of their rights {CLICK ON FOLLOWING LINKS FOR FULL AUDIO};-

The Minister also spoke to the recent issue where a victim was allowed to start anew at a different school rather than bringing the perpetrator to bear, Minister Jones says that when transfers happen it is not always a Caribbean version of Witness Relocation, there are times when instigators are sent to learn in a more disciplined environment {CLICK ON FOLLOWING LINKS FOR FULL AUDIO};-