Teacher hits back in student rumble
Clifton Hunter High School, Grand Cayman
(CNS): A video taken of the most recently reported violent incident in a government school shows that a teacher at Clifton Hunter High School hit back during an altercation with a student and appears to have punched him. The chief officer in the education ministry, Christen Suckoo, confirmed that the footage, which “appears to show contact”, is forming part of the current enquiry but the teacher has not been suspended. Suckoo told CNS that education officials have received different videos in connection with the incident, which are being used as part of an investigation into the incident in which the student is currently accused of assaulting the teacher.
Acknowledging that this latest footage showing a different perspective of the incident compared with earlier videos and despite the contact between the two, it was not completely clear that the member of staff hit the teenage boy. He said that the staff member had not been suspended and consideration would be given to that possibility after the situation has been investigated further.
The student, however, remains excluded from the school.
The footage which is 1:20 seconds shows the young student verbally provoking the staff member and swearing. At first he is held back by other students before he pushes the teacher. At that point, he his held back by a security guard and moved away for a moment but the teacher does not take that opportunity to clear the other students away or defuse the situation. The teacher appears to continue looking right at the boy before he breaks free and heads towards the teacher.
As the student gets close to the staff member, the teacher appears to strike out first and then a scuffle occurs between the pair before the student is hauled away again by the female security officer, who appears to be calling for help on the radio. During the footage, which was filmed by another student, the student involved in the incident and others and are using expletives.
In a statement from the education ministry earlier this month, officials indicated that the student was a fault as they reported what they said was an assault of a student on a teacher to the police. There was no mention that the teacher may have engaged the student in a physical fight.
The teacher was also said to be the victim of vandalism, as soon after the alleged assault his car was spray painted with the words “go home”.
See related story: CHHS student sent home after assaulting teacher
Category: Crime
It shouldn’t even reach that stage. Let’s be honest though this isn’t a Cayman issue or even a parenting issue. Children are being socialised by social media and take cues from YouTube and IG. I kid has to b good at heart to be decent Deez days. No beating church or wrath a hell well make them stop.
Now the teacher should have tried to move on and don’t even look back at the student. Kno better do better is how I see it.
You are mistaken the role of parenting when done is to teach acceptable social behavior. When that parenting is not done for whatever reason then the child learns elsewhere. Your position makes it sound like parenting is ineffective against technology and that is untrue.
Respect for elders and authority is part of the parenting education and look at the numbers of disciplinary problems at the private schools. I believe they have the same technology with much fewer behavioral problems.
I disagree completely. This is totally a parenting/child rearing issue and a typical excuse to put the blame somewhere else. It is your job as a parent/guardian whatever to monitor the influence a child is exposed to and set guidelines, rules and good examples.
You are looking at this that the teacher should have tried to move on. I am looking at this that the child should have never gotten into this position where he/she felt the need for confronting the teacher head on. If there were any issues that needed to be resolved, the child should have used the proper channels. It is a High School, not a Kindergarten where kids don’t know any better.
The issue is lack of anger control and no respect for authority.
You guys are acting like a bunch of idiots. Teachers arent always what they seem to be infront of parents/community. If you know what us as students have to put up with then yall would understand. Teachers needs to stop dishing out crap if they can’t eat it.
Go clean your room, then get that homework finished.
It’s mindsets like yours why whippings at school should be brought back!
I thought PHONES weren’t aloud in school….Did this rule change??
Allowed
I see you people beating your kids and now violence is what you are getting back
Not once did I ever hit any of my children and they are well behaved, excellent students with fantastic work ethic.
As for those that I watched box there children in the head and beat with the spoon i hope you enjoy visiting your children in jail remember as you sit in northward chattin with them its your fault for being a sh*tty parent
Please could someone post a link for the video so we can see what happened?
Breaking news from the university college president:
“That is just how caymans are, there is nothing we can do about. Now I need to leave on my 20th weekly vacation of the year because I need to rewrite the syllabus on my Men of Standards class, but you are all in goods hands with my chosen Deans who need to be christian and who are doing their best with the extra pay they receive each time I am constantly on vacation. Rest assured my Deans are working with our bad behaving students to find a scapegoat teacher, but we have scarred away so many good teachers in the past in this manner that this may take longer than anticipated so I may need more weekly vacations and the Deans and their committees extra pay. God bless each and every one of us”
I know that giving licks and wacking kids is seen as an excellent form of punishment by many people on this island, but the people of this country need to ask themselves, does it actually work? Yes, it works in the short term, it’s a quick fix for that moment in time, but if it did work properly, there wouldn’t be all this trouble now! If children were that scared of the licks when they got home, they wouldn’t behave badly in the first place because they’d be so scared of the beating they will get. Well, as you can see from the public schools, some children do not respect their elders whether they get licks or not. This child who hit a teacher would have got some licks growing up, but it isn’t working for him. Why keep doing it?
How do children learn that using their fits is not an answer to their problems when thats how their parents try to solve their own problems. It’s a case of do as I say, not as I do. Talk about hypocritical. Children are not stupid, they are little people who are learning every day from what they see around them? Parents say you can’t hit the teacher, but I can give you a beating when you get home! Wow, that’s great parenting right there. These kids need role models, people who they can look up to, parents need to show their kids how to behave by their own actions. Teach them about other ways to react when they feel angry. Give them coping strategies, talk to them often about their day, take an interest in their lives, show them what to do when they have a problem, teach them to be kind to others, how to be non- judgmental about others.
I’m probably going to get loads of thumbs down, but that’s because everybody needs educating about these issues, not because I am wrong. It doesn’t take a village to raise a child it takes one good parent who knows what they are doing.
It worked for me. One taste of Spooner’s strap and I got 7 O’levels. Good luck kid you’re going to need it because obviously you don’t have parents to treat you better. Otherwise it would have been, Dad do you know what happened to me at school today?
Just because it worked for you, doesn’t mean it works.
His parents have passsed away..and a comment about this is apparently what triggered it. make sure you know the full story before you judge guys
I’ve been waiting for someone to say this!! Kudos!!!
Clearly the problem with this child is that he isn’t getting any form of licks. He has a total disregard for authority and there is no fear of discipline or consequence for his actions. All this kumbaya crap and we are all equals, lets play together, and express yourself BS is the reason we are in this mess now! I really hope that you are not a teacher.
Maybe you should read this about the research on corporal punishment
http://www.angriesout.com/parents10.htm
And this
http://www.cyc-net.org/features/viewpoints/c-corporalpunishmenteffects.html
Go on, I dare you to educate yourself about how beating children DOES NOT WORK!
It’s a form of discipline that is only used when parents don’t know any better.
The problem with the school system is that corporal punishment was taken away, but the teachers were not given anything to replace it. Thats why there are problems in schools. Teachers need training on how to manage children’s behaviour when they have mental issues. And believe me, there are plenty of children with mental illnesses on this island. I know! Lets beat them a bit harder, that’ll work!
Stop your Satanic Confusion, 11:46.
That’s all great, but this wasn’t a little tyke threatening the teacher. Thugs in school is problem that has to be dealt with right now even if parental neglect or indifference is what got us here. The only immediate solution to the event in question is the criminal justice system. Fixing the parents is a different question with no easy solution. Who is going to convince them to do what you suggest? They’ve heard all that before and don’t care.
I don’t believe the overwhelming issue on Island is that parents are beating their kids, I believe the overwhelming issue is that parents just can’t be bothered being parents. Full Stop!
It worked for me. Never stole, disrespected elders, never did drugs, never been arrested, got good grades. I keep my car insured and I pay my bills on time. The only thing I might be guilty of (in the past) was being a serial cheater.
And the Caymanian Government and Parents of the Caymanian kids involved take on this? Nothing. Silence. Let them eat cake. This is what Caymanian means to the rest of the world.
in other place in the world they would shoot up your school
CONTRACEPTION.
the so-called ‘parents’ of today should be the ones getting the ‘tally-whopping’ for the lack of discipline and good manners starting in the homes. The behaviour and lack of respect that emanates from even the youngest of these little brats is beyond anything that is bearable. It should certainly give parents thought as to what is going to happen to our country if we are not making an effort to train and discipline our children at home.
God bless us all.
Listen up you all! This is a simple matter! Take a look at this site!
http://www.parentherald.com/articles/15504/20160111/david-camerons-parental-advice-parents-attend-classes-discipline-children.htm
345876 signing out!
How about placing teachers under the same law as the hospital employees and the NRA no fault, no consequences, no matter what
What is so appalling, society is here scratching their heads trying to figure out what went wrong with the world’s rude and bad behaved children.
Look no further than Brussels, a country where human rights (destruction of man kind) was created. Brussels removed the main things that taught humans (mankind, the species that God gave this world to manage) discipline, manners and respect for each other.
God gave mankind the Bible as a guide to understand ethics, morality and good principals. It teaches us right and wrong. The Bible implies consequences when these human values are not followed.
Brussels took the strap out of the home and schools, they removed the bible from the schools.Brussels took chastisement from society in a whole. Cayman followed Brussels, now they are confused and disillusioned as to why we are living in a corrupted and disgraceful society.
We have sold our values for the money.
Brussels is less a country, more a variety of sprout.
You talking about the Belgian city? That definitely ain’t a country.
The Bible…hogwash. Follow that to the letter and let’s see how far you get.
Don’t be silly, this is an important topic and real too.
Let’s not bring imaginary friends into the equation.
How can your Creator be imaginary. You are unique and highly loved and your “imaginary” friend would like to have a little of your time if you are not too busy.
Right on brother! What have the Begians ever done for us?
The only part of the last paragraph which isn’t bs is the very last line.
Cayman has sold out, everything and everyone is for sale it seems.
Any statement from the minister of education on this? Anything?
And after Dr a statement what good will come if parents continue to build little thugs and support them in their thug like way of living?
So are we now trying to say a teacher isn’t (as the rest of us are) entitled to defend himself when attacked?
You’re going down out a very rocky road here check out – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-35431782
The answer is very simple – hold the parents responsible for the conduct of their offspring. I bet if a few of them ended up before a Magistrate they’d sort this out PDQ.
Not an expat teacher, no.
The students appear to be feral.
“Appear to be feral”? Some of them ARE!
What a slanted article, CNS
And please tell me what is wrong with the teacher hitting the student when the student pushed the teacher first and was coming after the teacher. I would have beat him to a pulp
Do you mean murder?
This question was asked because beating a kid to pulp is advocating violence/murder – No better than the kid.
Then you shouldn’t be a teacher. What the hell is wrong with some of you people? If you don’t know how to handle the provocations of mislead youth in a civilised manner then you have no right trying to instruct them on anything much less appropriate behaviour. “That child is violent- let me use violence to teach him why violence is wrong.” It makes ZERO sense.
Exactly!!!!
Everyone has the right to self defence. If a kid comes at me with a weapon, including fists I am going to hit back in self defence
A few things to note.
1. I want the teacher PRAISED for defending themselves. If it were my child I would shake their hand and drop a piece of a@@ whooping on him. You see this is what happens with “time out”.
2. Any expenses incured by the teacher for repairs to their vehicle I want my government picking up WITHOUT HESITATION. And please offer a rental while repairs are ongoing.
3. I would hope an investigation as to the damages to the teacher vehicle is ongoing with friends and known associates being closely acrutinized. If found all cost should be designed to the families of kids responsible. MAYBE they will watch and hold their kids accountable now!!
4. A clear message needs to be sent to these kids and all that come after. Teachers will NOT be your victims. We as a society will DEFEND our teachers.
Thanks…..a Caymanian and a Parent
I couldn’t have said it better myself. The teacher should be praised on defending himself. The video clearly shows this punk assaulting the teacher first. Guess his never got his butt whooped when he was younger.
Several years ago, (i’m 40 now)I walked out of a whopping (leather strap on my hands) in the principal’s office in primary school. Walked home (about 2 miles) and my mother was there waiting for me. She told me to march my butt back to school and she whooped me every step of the way. When I got to the principal’s office, she told her to continue my punishment. Plus i got extra from my mother and the principal for walking out. I had to go back to class to face my classmates with a butt sore, hands sore and my face as red as a beet. It didn’t kill me only thought me respect and to except punishment when you know you earned it.
Agreed- a Caymanian and a Parent as well
I keep saying that parents are not only responsible for what their kids do but even more serious , the type of language they use when they talk to their kids concerning such actions. I’m afraid that this is not over yet.
I would like to take time to make it clear about the car that was vandalized . At this time i only know of one car that had spray painted on both sides (go Home) all over the entire car sprayed with black paint, his four tyres slashed, and his windshield smashed with a rock. and that car was my godsons.
That car belongs to Paul C.S. Lewis and it was destroyed at his residence.
and he is caymanian he was conceived , born and raised here. How the Media has mixed up these two incidences is a mystery , but i would really like to find out who did it , as they should have to pay for the damages, also if it was a case of mistaken identity maybe they should be careful when they decide to wreck someones car that they have the right car.
It will never be solved , but i leave it in the hands of the lord and he does not sleep.
Caroline Hunter.
“he is caymanian he was conceived , born and raised here.” – so it is OK to vandalise the car of someone who wasn’t?
Enough of these divisive comments about who was born here and whose papa, granddaddy, or other ancestor arrived here first. Cayman is going to tear itself apart with these negative attitudes. It is time for everyone who loves these islands to come together for the better of all.
“maybe they should be careful when they decide to wreck someones car that they have the right car” – so if it did belong to an expat it would be ok?
Wow, now we are adding ‘conceived’ into the Caymanian mix, although I find that level of intimate knowledge by a relative disturbing to say the least. If he were not conceived in Cayman would that make him less Caymanian?
This place is tearing itself apart about its own identity about who is and who is not a ‘true’ Caymanian. Can you imagine saying to a new American citizen that they are not really American because they are not ‘generational’ (whatever that is supposed to mean) or telling the sons and daughters of the West Indian immigrants to the UK in the 50s and 60s that they are not really British because their Parents came from somewhere else – you would get arrested for hate speech, but we accept this as normal dialogue. It has to stop. I saw comments on Facebook of a reputable community leader (I wont mention names but he should be ashamed of himself) talking about doing an ‘Idi Amin’ for Fxxks sake. If he knew what that really meant (I have friends whose families were forcibly ejected after living in Uganda for generations) then he should be arrested.
I think I found the video of clifton hunter which speaks volumes as to how mature the student population is and how we need to instead blame the teachers, especially expat teachers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyFAfGSlISE
We need to know the facts before we pass judgment teachers can break the law too we need to k ow facts before passing any thing on both the child or the teacher but if the teacher is in fault he too must be dealt with
11:17. Teachers job: teach. Students job:- take yah self to school with your patns where its supposed to be; no cellphones; backpack full of items needed for their days classes; determined to get the best grade to make self and family proud always remembering teacher already got their degree
The teacher should not be expected to stand there and let the unruly kid punch him down. These children are so violent, it is obvious that the parents have failed to decipline them, then the go to school and expect to take charge. This island is heading for a sorry state- Caymaniana are reluctant to go into teaching and if these children don’t change their ways it will be more difficult to hire expat teachers. Parents please wake up and put some decipline in your child rearing. Stop raising criminals. I saw a parent a few days on TV explaining how his son had to buy weed to pay back a kid who accused him of stealing his weed. He did not seem to have a problem with his son buying weed!! How did he know who to go to to buy this weed? Why did he feel that he had to do that if he did not take the weed in the first instance? If that was my son I would have marched his behind up to wherever I had to go to get a drug test and God help him if it came back positive! Of course the father was complaining about his son being bullied, but that was not bullying that was one kid fighting another because he suspected him of stealing his weed. The one who lost the weed should have been arrested for having weed and dealt with by the full extent of the law! Stop treating these brazen criminals as innocent kids and allowing them to negatively impact the schools.
These youngsters are too damn disrespectful…
They need some food f-licks…
Thanks teacher – you communicated to the student in the only language he/she understands…
Keeping your eye on a threatening attacker seems like a good idea to me, as does hitting out when the attacker breaks away from the people trying to restrain him. Was he supposed to offer this large male student a couple of free shots to wear him down. No second guessing of self defense in a very scary situation.
Listen, teachers are human. The student was in the wrong, end of. The teacher is human and who would blame him if a student, who had previously been abusive and shove him, came running at him and he hit back. Teachers have a right to feel safe at their place of work.
Had it been my child, I would’ve given him an lasting memory, and he would never think of being rude, not even to mention assaulting a teacher. Children should not be encouraged to display bad behaviour, because it will not work in their favour in later years.
Teacher taught a good lesson: Actions have consequencies.
If the teacher is reprimanded by some local law, then she will also face consequences.
We too often forget that teachers are not super-humans.
He did what the parents should have long ago. Give the guy an award!
“There was no mention that the teacher may have engaged the student in a physical fight” – perhaps because trying to deflect an attack on you is not construed by most people as engaging in a physical fight!