Education minister concerned about 'tragic and alarming' violent incidents involving students

The Ministry of Education and Youth is expressing sorrow over the tragic stabbing death of a grade seven student from Denham Town High School in Kingston on Tuesday.

The student, Amari Coley, was fatally injured while on his way home from school.

Reports reaching The STAR are that sometime after 3:20 p.m. a female student used a tail comb to inflict a serious wound to Omar's chest during a dispute.

The girl, who attends a Corporate Area high school, is reportedly in custody.

Additionally, the ministry says it is deeply concerned about an incident at Oberlin High School in St Andrew West Rural, where a female student was attacked by another female student at the entrance of the school on the same day.

The injured student suffered multiple facial injuries and is currently receiving medical care.

“These incidents are both tragic and alarming. We must come together as a community to ensure the safety and well-being of our students. Violence has no place in our schools. We will continue working with the Ministry of National Security and other MDAs to create a culture of peace in places of learning,” Dana Morris Dixon, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information says.

Morris Dixon says the ministry's Region One office has dispatched a specialised team to provide grief counselling and psychological support to the affected students, staff and families at Denham Town High School and Oberlin High School.

Additionally, a full investigation is under way into both matters, and the ministry is awaiting the official reports to ascertain further details.

Morris Dixon has also committed to completing the review of the School Safety Policy.

In the meantime, she says the ministry will continue to review and strengthen measures aimed at fostering safe and peaceful school environments for all students and staff.

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