PARENTS of pupils attending Blackman's Private School in Maraval gave mixed responses yesterday to the furore surrounding an alleged act by the principal of the school who is currently before the court on two charges of cruelty to children.

Arlene Blackman appeared before a Port of Spain Magistrate yesterday morning and remains on $150,000 bail.

None of the parents who spoke to the Express wanted their names mentioned.

At the close of school yesterday it appeared to be business as usual as parents parked their cars, walked into the school and collected their children.

Eight parents were polled.

Six of them said that they were going to keep their children at the school.

One man said, "I'm going to keep my daughter at the school. Let's face it. It's a good school. They have good teachers, well qualified teachers and there is nothing wrong with the school."

Another parent, a woman said, "How I look at it: there are three sides to every story and I just want to hear the truth. In fact, why should I not keep my child in this school? My elder son did SEA here and he did well."

"She's (Arlene Blackman) is a straightforward woman and I see no reason to move my children," the parent said."

Another parent said, while seated in her car, "This is a very good school and my child staying right here...allyuh write that."

Then there were other opinions. Another man said, "what happened was not too good at all. I'm thinking of moving my daughter and my personal thought is that they should shut down that school because as a parent I don't like that."

Another parent said,

"What happened was sad. If the school remains open it will be stigmatised but at the same time this woman brought out the best pupils. In fact, I have three children in United Kingdom universities and I have my last daughter in here."