THE New Amsterdam Technical Institute student, who was caught on video assaulting three other students with a belt, was suspended and is receiving counseling.

In a press statement, the Ministry of Education (MOE) noted that the student said that he had been a victim of bullying by his class and school mates.

The Ministry took the opportunity to reiterate its stance of non-tolerance to violence, at an assembly held with the entire student population.

The students were also reminded of their signed commitment, at the time of admission to the institute, to obey the rules of the institute by ensuring that matters are reported to the school as against taking same into their own hands.

In the statement, MOE also highlighted that the four students involved in the incident were interviewed in the presence of their parents/guardians, and they were all receiving counseling coordinated by the Citizen’s Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP).
The NATI and CSSP have been conducting welfare and counselling sessions, conflict management and anger control and management, with all the students of NATI.

Among the recommended actions are that the frequency of assemblies at the institution be increased and sections of the rules and procedures must be discussed at the assemblies. At the assemblies, students would be encouraged to report incidents and the procedure for doing so, must be explained.

To further address the issue of bullying on a larger scale, the institute will be launching an anti-bullying campaign to ensure that students are sensitised on the negative effects of bullying. The institute is to be declared a ‘No-Bullying’ institution.