Minister of Education and Youth, Fayval Williams has strongly condemned the sexual assault of a student at Oracabessa High School, St Mary.
The grade 10 female student was found unconscious on Monday afternoon, September 19, in one of the school’s bathrooms. Police are investigating.
Mrs. Williams said “I am heartbroken by reports that a student at the Oracabessa High School in St Mary was sexually assaulted. I have instructed that counselling be provided to the student and members of her immediate family. I have also ordered a speedy and thorough investigation into the matter of the alleged assault.”
Officers of the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), an agency of the Ministry of Education and Youth, have since visited the school and started their investigations.
The Minister underscored that schools must be safe spaces for students and teachers, in order for teaching and learning to take place unhindered.
She added that the Ministry’s Region 2 which has particular responsibility for schools in Portland, St Thomas and St Mary has been asked to identify additional ways in which security can be improved at the school.
-C Hall
