bound a six-year-old student.

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Nash have complained that their six-year-old son had his mouth taped and hands tied behind his back on February 11, Education Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira said yesterday.

The parents, who have pulled their child from the school and reported the incident to Police, said they complained to the Ministry about the incident but received no reply, Dr. Terceira told The Royal Gazette .

"That is disturbing,'' he said. "The other thing I want to know is did (the Ministry) receive a fax, did they receive a letter? Is there a reason why there was no reply?'' Dr. Terceira, who as recently as Sunday released a draft report on school discipline, said he was "very concerned'' by the allegations.

He did not want to prejudge the teacher involved, but said: "I have to be honest and say that it is not my understanding of suitable child discipline.'' He understood that the principal of the East End school had apologised to the parents.

"I've ordered an investigation by the chief education officer to find out all about it,'' Dr. Terceira said. And Permanent Secretary Dr. Marion Robinson visited the school yesterday to talk to the principal. "We're taking it very seriously.'' He did not know whether the teacher had been suspended while the investigations were under way.

The child had a behavioural problem and saw a consultant twice a week, he said.

It is believed the American parents transferred the child to the school on the US Naval Air Station.

The draft Discipline Code released by Dr. Terceira covers corporal punishment and sets out the rights and responsibilities of students, parents, teachers, and principals.

"It didn't talk about this sort of punishment,'' he said.

The Hon. Clarence Terceira.