No less than 24 hours after receiving a sound chiding from Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Bradshaw for their part in a series of inappropriate TikTok videos, several students have acknowledged their mistake and apologised.
In fact, the Springer Memorial School students took to the same app to relay their message to the principal, staff and students.
One of the videos for which the children were chastised, captures junior students from the Government Hill, St Michael school engaging in a sexually provocative dance known as twerking.
“Good morning principal Ms [Mitchelle] Maxwell and my school colleagues. I want to apologise for what transpired on Tuesday 15th of March, 2022 at school before classes started,” said one junior student.
“I want to say that I am very sorry for the act and the disrespect of myself and my school. This has taught me to be very careful in choosing my friends and allowing my friends to influence me in the wrong way.
“To my principal, Ms Maxwell, please accept my sincere apology. I intend to keep myself away from negative behaviours so that what happened on Tuesday the 15th of March will never happen again,” she added.
In a video recorded separately, another student said sorry for causing embarrassment.
“I did that video, never knowing the damage it would cause. I have caused shame on my school, my family and my name. I am truly sorry and promise I will not cause such a thing to happen again,” she said.
“I accept the consequences of my action. Please forgive me. I am looking forward to honouring my school and not do anything stupid again. I am truly sorry, Ma’am. Please accept my sincere apology.”
The third apology, which was longer than the first two, featured a student who said she did not participate in the “lewd, provocative and distasteful behaviour” but was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“I should have said something or simply walked away, as I know better. To my classmates, form teacher, my year head and, most of all, my principal, herself, a former student of such a fine institution called Springer Memorial Secondary School, from the bottom of my heart I want to say that I am truly, remorseful and sorry for causing such disgrace and unnecessary heartache and stress for all,” said the student.
Apart from the video involving the Springer Memorial students, there was another that captured girls from The Lodge School using electronic cigarettes.
On Wednesday, Dr Archer-Bradshaw said a raft of disciplinary measures and counselling services could be offered to the students involved, as she stressed that their behaviour would not be tolerated.
She added that education officials would also be reviewing the policy on the use of cell phones in schools.
“You want to bamba? You want to chill with the big boys?” asked the Chief Education Officer, quoting a popular Tik Tok tune. “If you want to do that, showcase positive things. Showcase your kitchen garden, showcase a kind act. There’s nothing wrong with children doing that… if they have their parent’s permission, but use it for positive things.
“This activity will not be condoned in any school and the principals will do the necessary things to ensure that any breach such as this will be dealt with accordingly. And, of course, they will have the support of the Ministry with regard to that,” she warned.
kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb
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