Ministry urges mediation in student-VP bust-up

The education ministry is urging a peaceful resolution following an altercation between acting vice-principal of Grange Hill High School, Kemar Gayle and a grade-10 student on March 26.

A March 30 report from the ministry detailed the findings of an investigation conducted by an education officer. The report confirmed that both Gayle and the student sustained injuries, with conflicting accounts of what transpired. While the student's family accused Gayle of physical assault, the school maintains that the student was the aggressor and had also issued violent threats.

According to Gayle's statement to the education officer, he had previously spoken to the student on March 25 about his "dress code violation and failure to attend classes". On the day of the incident, he again found the student outside when he should have been in class.

"I rested my hand on [the boy's] shoulder while reminding him of the importance of being in class," Gayle is quoted in the report. However, he observed the student clenching an object in his fist and asked him to dispose of it. The student complied, but according to Gayle, "Immediately afterward, [the boy] turned around and struck me in the abdomen." Gayle said he attempted to "de-escalate the situation", but in the process, the student "lost his footing and fell over a garbage bin between a standing whiteboard and the wall". He denied claims circulating online that he had hit the student with a microphone. The report noted that medical attention was provided to both parties.

Following the incident, a mediation meeting was held the following day involving the school's administration, law enforcement, and the student's family. The school offered to cover the student's medical expenses and provide additional support through its behaviour change support services. However, according to the report, the mother rejected these options, instead expressing interest in what Gayle would do for her son, "suggesting monetary compensation". The school resource officer (SRO) advised that this approach was neither "fair nor honest", and instead recommended mediation. However, the mother stated that she would be taking legal action instead.

The ministry has emphasised the need for resolution and continued academic support for the student.