JC Board says students in assault case to appear before disciplinary committee

The Jamaica College (JC) Board says the students involved in the physical assault of a schoolmate will appear before the school’s disciplinary committee for appropriate action.

This is in accordance with the school’s established procedures.

The school board made the disclosure in a press release yesterday.

The incident captured in a viral video has drawn condemnation from the Education Ministry and the school and investigations were ordered into the incident by both.

The video shows two students hitting another student multiple times to the face and upper body.

According to the JC Board on Saturday, April 18 at approximately 8:00 p.m., the management became aware of the video which it described as deeply disturbing.

The school said it regards the behaviour depicted as reprehensible and unacceptable and condemned it in the strongest possible terms.

The school said investigations began immediately in line with its established protocols and by midday Sunday, April 19 management had identified the boys pictured and secured an initial though unverified, impression of what had transpired.

The board statement said the primary persons involved were interviewed yesterday in the presence of their parents and signed statements secured.

According to the board, based on the interviews and signed statements, the facts as currently understood reveal that the student seen in the video being physically assaulted admitted in writing that about two weeks ago, he “took” certain items that did not belong to him from a group of boys with whom he was socialising.

These included a jacket, a pair of glasses and a sum of money.

According to the statement, when initially questioned about the missing items, the boy denied any involvement before later acknowledging his actions and committing to returning the items in question.

In the days that followed, it’s reported that he returned a portion of the money and some of the items but failed to make full restitution and missed several agreed deadlines to do so.

The school said the aggrieved students subsequently confronted him on school grounds and demanded the outstanding balance.

The board said the physical altercation captured in the video occurred at that point.

It noted that all students involved will now appear before the institution’s disciplinary committee for appropriate action in accordance with the school’s established procedures.

The board said JC remains fully and unequivocally committed to the safety and well-being of every student in its care to fair and thorough investigation of all incidents and to the upholding of due process, accountability and justice.