PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – The National Parent Teachers’ Association (NPTA) has called for a “thorough investigation” into the death of a 14-year-old schoolboy, who was stabbed by a fellow student during a fight, allegedly over a school girl.

“This is a police matter and we are calling for a thorough investigation. The suspect should feel the brunt of the law, because we need to send a message to our young people. There should be zero tolerance to violence and murder in schools,” said NPTA president Zeena Ramatali.

Police have detained a 16-year-old fifth-form school boy, who was due to write his Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) history exam on Monday, after 14-year-old Renaldo Dixon succumbed to four stab wounds he received in the presence of his friends at the Waterloo Secondary School, in Central Trinidad.

Another pupil, who tried to separate the two students, was cut on the neck and treated. Media reports said that the fight was over a 13-year-old female who is also a student at the school.

Dixon’s mother, Camille Taitt, said her son was stabbed twice in the back, his wrist and abdomen.

“The stab that doctors believed killed him was one in the left side of his back which is four inches deep,” she told reporters.

She said her son, who would have celebrated his birthday in October, wanted to become an architect.