By Rasbert Turner, Portmore Star Writer

The principal of a Portmore Primary School appeared in the Spanish Town RM Court on Tuesday, charged with assault occasioning bodily harm for the beating and injuring of an eight-year-old student.

The court learnt that about 2 p.m. on May 28, the child was hit several times on her hands and legs. The investigator told the court that when it was first brought to the attention of the police, they sought the intervention of the Community Relations Department for mediation to be done.

She went on that there was no cooperation on the part of the principal who even refused to meet with the child's parents and as such she was summoned to appear before the court.

swelling and bruises

The principal told RM Lorna Errar Gayle, that she hit the child and other children. "I saw the children running after this little boy and I sent for him, and I was only trying to slap them so as to let them be orderly," she said.

She went on to tell the court that under the law, as a principal she has the right to hit a child in the hands in private. Several pictures were shown to the court of swelling and bruises on the hand of the child. The RM told her to apologise. "I already apologised Your Honour," she revealed.

The child's mother told the court she would allow the matter to be withdrawn if the principal pays the medical bills totalling $5,900.

The principal agreed but was warned to be guided by the principle laid out by the Ministry of Education that children should not be flogged in school.