Education Ministry Silent On Bullying Video, Students Suspended

October 24, 2019 in National

It’s been two days since disturbing videos showing a number of female high school students stripping and making fun of a younger male student made the rounds on social media, and still there has been no response from the Ministry of Education.

The incident happened at the Charles E. Mills Secondary School Monday. The videos show at least 3 female students holding down the boy, pulling down his pants and exposing his genitals. In one of the videos the females are seen sitting on the boy, who is a first or second year student, jamming his head against concrete steps, and poking him in the mouth with a pen causing him to bleed. This was recorded by a student’s cellphone and other students could be heard using curse words, laughing and jeering, none of whom told the aggressors to stop or tried to help him.

The public was further outraged at social media posts allegedly made by one of the lead aggressors appearing to brag about what had been done to the young man, using graphic language to tell people to mind their business, and that they could call her name all they like.

While an Education official saw the videos late Tuesday, on Wednesday the person told Freedom FM an investigation would be launched and then the Ministry would react accordingly.

Freedom FM inquired on Thursday if the Ministry of Education had prepared a response to the troubling episode of bullying, and was told the investigation is underway and no statement has been issued by the Ministry.

Further investigation has revealed that no report was made to the Sandy Point Police Station however police did look into the matter after seeing the videos. A source indicated that the School and Ministry are dealing with the matter and persons involved have been suspended, and perhaps the police would be brought in later.

Many are calling what happened to the young man a case of sexual assault and said if it had been a female whose private parts had been exposed in that manner, the school, police, and Ministry officials would have moved more swiftly. Members of the general public have condemned the act of violence against the young man and some have suggested his parents take legal action against the perpetrators.