No efforts will be spared in dealing with indiscipline and violence in schools – Education Ministry

Education Minister Nicolette Henry on Friday visited the 15-year-old student of the Linden Foundation Secondary School who was stabbed during a fight with another schoolmate.

The Minister visited Shashamani Williams at the Linden Hospital Complex where she was briefed on the child’s condition.

Williams was stabbed to her back by another student during a fight outside the Secondary School on Thursday. She was left with injuries to her stomach, spleen, left lung, diaphragm and muscles.

The Education Minister also met with students and teachers at the school where she said the Ministry has a zero-tolerance for violence and bullying of any kind.

Addressing the children at the institutions, Minister Henry said that it was unfortunate that a child was seriously injured and informed the children that “we (MoE) will spare no efforts in dealing with indiscipline and violence in our schools.”

Further, Henry advised the children to seek the assistance of their teachers in situations where conflicts arise and not to resort to fights and violence.

Additionally, she said that the MoE recently met with a number of stakeholders to formulate a holistic strategy to address violence, bullying and other inappropriate behaviours in the school environment.

In addition, the Education Minister also visited the Linden Technical Institute (LTI) and Wisburg Secondary school to interface with the school population of these two institutions, which have experienced unacceptable behaviours among the children in the last 24 hours.

Minister Henry was accompanied by the Ministry of Education’s Chief Schools Welfare Officer Gillian Vhypius and a team of welfare officers along with the Regional Education Officer for Region 10 Rabindra Singh.