JC says $2,000 mix-up misrepresented as bullying

Jamaica College has pushed back against a news report, saying a simple misunderstanding over a $2,000 note was blown out of proportion and misrepresented as bullying.

The school was responding to reports about a March 24 incident that left one student nursing a broken nose and another facing charges, with the Board of Management insisting the narrative being circulated does not match accounts from those directly involved.

In a statement signed by chairman Lance Hylton, the institution acknowledged that the incident was "serious and regrettable" but argued that at least one report gave a misleading impression of what actually took place.

According to the school, written statements from the boys and eyewitnesses paint a very different picture -- one rooted in a misunderstanding rather than a coordinated attack.

The board said the incident began when a student, referred to as Boy 1, dropped a $2,000 note. Another student pointed it out, but a third, Boy 3, mistakenly believed the money was his and picked it up.

What followed was a heated exchange, with pushing and pulling as Boy 1 tried to retrieve the cash. Boy 3 later realised his mistake and handed over the money, even noting in his statement that it was a misunderstanding.

However, tensions escalated. The school said Boy 3 admitted that after returning the cash, he was punched while moving away, prompting him to throw his lunch in anger. A second punch reportedly followed, leaving him with a broken nose.

Eyewitnesses, according to the board, all maintained that the fight involved only the two boys, with other students stepping in to break it up. The statements also did not support claims that the injured student was attacked by a group or that the incident was linked to ongoing bullying.

The school further rejected allegations of a culture of violence, stating there have been no prior reports of bullying involving the injured student, who was admitted in October last year.

Principal Wayne Robinson, speaking to The STAR, said the school had to follow strict procedures given the seriousness of the matter and the involvement of the police.

"Everybody has to write written reports. So we have a signed statement, and I have a signed nurse report on the very same day it happened," Robinson said, noting that all parties were interviewed before any statement was released.

He also used the incident as a teaching moment for students, warning against letting minor disputes spiral into violence.

"We can't be fighting over foolishness... we are a brotherhood," he said.

The school said the injured boy was immediately assisted, taken to the nurse, and his mother contacted, with officials maintaining regular contact to check on his welfare.

However, the boy's mother has indicated that medical expenses have already exceeded $250,000 and continue to rise.

One student has since been charged by the Matilda's Corner police as investigations continue.

- Erica Virtue

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