Social workers will be deployed to assist the children of both the victim and the confessed killer in Monday’s tragedy in which Pre School principal Jezelle Phillips ( in photo) was fatally stabbed at her school, Baby’s Day Care, on Independence Square, Port of Spain.

And that’s even though the Ministry of Education (MOE) has stated that the school does not fall under its jurisdiction.

The children who witnessed the murder will also have counselling available to them, according to the  MOE.

“The deceased individual (Jizelle Phillips) has one child attending a primary school in Port-of-Spain. The Student Support Services Division (SSSD) of the Ministry of Education will lend support by extending the required psychological and counselling support services to the child,” the MOE said in a news release on Tuesday.

“Our School Social Workers would also extend counselling services to the children of the alleged attacker. These children are also attending public schools in the Port of Spain Education District,” the MOE said while noting that it will extend these services to the children of the daycare services centre, “if requested by their parents”.

“Despite, the daycare services centre not falling under the purview of the Ministry of Education, Minister Garcia condemns this senseless act of violence against someone who was making a positive contribution towards moulding the lives and minds of our nation’s children,” the news release stated.

The National Primary Schools Principals Association  also condemned what it called “the vicious murder of Preschool Principal Ms. Jizelle Phillips.”

 “While Ms. Phillips was not a member of this Association, recognizes the need to have its voice heard in matters of national importance; especially those that affect the well being of the nation’s children.