WESTMORELAND, Jamaica—The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information says it is deeply concerned following an incident at Grange Hill Primary School on Tuesday in which a male student was injured by a group of five male students.

According to preliminary reports, the victim was attacked by a group of boys. He received injuries to his head, neck and chest and had to be rushed to the hospital.

According to the ministry, its regional office and school-level behaviour support team will provide support to the injured student, his family, and the school community.

It said Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon, has been informed of the incident and she has expressed deep concern for the student and his family as well as the inappropriate conduct of the aggressors involved.

“This incident is deeply disturbing and has no place in our schools or in our society,” said Morris Dixon. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the student and his family at this difficult time. We are ensuring that he receives the support he needs and that the school community is supported as well. But I must be clear: this type of behaviour must be condemned, and disciplinary actions must be taken against the boys involved. They must learn from early that choices have consequences.

“Immediately following the disciplinary actions, the boys must be taken through a series of behaviour-change initiatives to ensure that they will never repeat this behaviour. I further call on parents to get more involved in the lives of their children. We must protect children from negative influences. We must teach children to care and respect one another and to understand the weight of their actions. Violence among our young people is a signal we cannot ignore. It requires the attention of every parent, every guardian, every teacher, and every community member. The ministry will continue to do its part, but we cannot do it alone. Our children need us, all of us, fully present and fully engaged,” Morris Dixon added.

The ministry is urging anyone with information about this incident to come forward and cooperate with the authorities. The safety and well-being of every student remain the highest priority, the ministry said.