Stabbing incidents in schools a cause for concern

The incidents occurred at the Ottos Comprehensive Secondary and Antigua Grammar School.

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, Monday March 19, 2012 – Two stabbing incidents among school children in one week, which left at least one student in serious condition, is raising concerns.

An 18-year-old student received life-threatening injuries on Thursday after being stabbed twice in the back and once in the chest. The latter resulted in his lung being punctured.

 A day later another student was stabbed in the back with a scissors by a younger student, prompting education officials to express concerns over the attacks.

Both incidents are reported to have resulted from fights and or arguments between the parties.

The country’s Education supervisor for Secondary Schools, Mr. Clare Browne said the incidents occurred at the Ottos Comprehensive Secondary and Antigua Grammar School, and promised that both incidents will be thoroughly investigated.

He received verbal reports on the incidents, and is now awaiting official reports from the two schools.

However, the education official made it clear that the ministry took school violence very seriously, and stressed that it was important for students to practice conflict resolution. Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)