Garcia: Students suspended

EDUCATION Minister Anthony Garcia yesterday said some students who were involved in a bullying incident at St Anthony’s College have been suspended from school for one week. Responding to a question in the Senate, Garcia said the principal did a thorough investigation into this matter.

“A a result of the investigation, some of the students were suspended. That is the position at this time,” Garcia stated.

The minister explained that it was up to the principal to determine the severity of the incident. Insisting there is “no upsurge in violence” at the nation’s schools, Garcia said the ministry has a clearly established procedure to treat with any instances of violence and indiscipline which may occur in schools.

He said these include the submission of written reports from students, perpetrators and witnessed signed by their respective parents or guardians, parents’ conference with principals and students’ suspension for seven days with requests for extended suspension where appropriate. Garcia was confident that the ministry’s Student Support Services Division was adequately staffed to deal with incidents of school violence or indiscipline. Earlier in the sitting, Garcia said no laptop computers were acquired last September for use in secondary schools.