By MORGAN ADDERLEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

madderley@tribunemedia.net

ONE day after a student was stabbed at CC Sweeting Senior High School, Education Minister Jeff Lloyd has insisted public schools are safe for students and teachers alike.

According to police, a 17-year-old student was taken into custody in connection with the stabbing.

Last month, a male teacher at CV Bethel Senior High School was injured in an altercation with two students. When asked about updates regarding the incident at this school, Mr Lloyd again emphasised all actions are being taken to address and resolve the matter.

“Police on the island of New Providence are investigating a stabbing incident which left a juvenile male with injuries, and another male in custody,” the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) said in a statement.

“According to reports, shortly after 11am, Monday, February 11, 2019, an altercation occurred between two male students, on the premises of a senior government school in the western district of New Providence, which escalated, resulting in one of the students being stabbed about the body.

“The injured student was transported to hospital, where he is detained in stable condition.

“Police have taken into custody a 17-year-old student of the same school, in connection with this incident.”

When asked about the matter yesterday, Mr Lloyd reiterated the matter is under investigation.

“The school has been dealing with that, along with the police and the parents and the student has been receiving medical treatment and the matter is now under active investigation,” he said. “I am awaiting a report so that we can determine what actions need to be taken. I want to emphasise that our schools are safe for our students and our teachers.

“I want to emphasise that wherever incidences of violence or threats of violence occur, those are immediately addressed, confronted, and resolved so that, again, we provide the safest environment for those who need to be on the campuses.”

When asked for updates on the CV Bethel incident yesterday, Mr Lloyd replied: “You know the CV Bethel matter is, in terms of teachers and students, it’s been addressed and resolved and the police has now given a report that we are reviewing along with the reports that we received from the principal and the particular students.

“The teacher involved has refused, upon advice, to give a report as I said to you last week. However we are taking whatever actions we need to take in order to address that situation. Again, it’s about safe schools.”