he Region Ten Department of Education says it is addressing an incident in which a female Mackenzie High School student was seen physically assaulting a male student in a video circulating on Facebook.
In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the department condemned the incident and said action would be guided by the findings and the Ministry of Education’s established protocols and disciplinary procedures.
“We maintain a ZERO-TOLERANCE approach to bullying and violence, irrespective of the gender or circumstances of those involved,” the department stated.
It did not disclose when the incident occurred, whether either student was injured or what disciplinary measures, if any, had been taken.
The department said its interventions would take account of fairness, accountability and the welfare of all students involved. It also appealed to the public to stop circulating the recording, citing the potential harm to the students’ privacy, dignity and emotional well-being.
Students were reminded that disagreements should never be resolved through violence, while parents and guardians were urged to reinforce respect, self-discipline, empathy and peaceful conflict resolution.
The statement comes amid wider efforts by the Education Ministry to address bullying and violence in schools.
Earlier this week Education Minister Sonia Parag said a multi-ministry task force was reviewing more than 1,000 recommendations from nationwide consultations to develop procedures for responding to physical aggression, verbal abuse, peer exclusion, substance use and online harassment. The ministry was also engaging the Ministry of Legal Affairs and the Attorney General’s Chambers on possible legislation.
Speaking at a meeting with parents, teachers and guardians at Lachmansingh Primary School, West Coast Berbice, Parag stressed the importance of active Parent-Teacher Associations and greater cooperation between homes and schools in addressing misconduct. She also warned that pupils who hit or attempt to hit teachers would be expelled, although the ministry’s release did not outline the procedures governing such expulsions.
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