Statement on the incident at the New Amsterdam Technical Institute
(April 5, 2019) – On Tuesday, March 26, 2019, a video recording of an incident involving students of the New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) was brought to the attention of the Ministry of Education.
An investigation was immediately launched into the matter. The incident occurred on Monday, March 25, 2019. The four students were recruited under the Ministry of the Public Security’s Citizen’s Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP).
An initial brief meeting was held with the Administration of the Institute, Senior Officers of the CSSP, some members of the Board of Governors of NATI and the Assistant Chief Education Officer – Technical.
An assembly was held with the entire student population to reiterate the Ministry of Education’s non-tolerance to violence. 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 matters into one’s hands.
A meeting was also held with the academic staff of the institution. The students involved in the incident were interviewed in the presence of their parents/guardians. A meeting was also held with the parents/guardians of all students of the NATI.
The student that assaulted the other three students has been suspended. He is undergoing counselling assisted by the CSSP. He had informed that he has been a victim of bullying by his class and school mates.
The students that were beaten will also receive counselling as coordinated by the CSSR counsellor, the NATI Welfare Officer and the Ministry of Education’s Senior Guidance and Counselling Officer.
The NATI and CSSP have been conducting welfare and counselling sessions with the CSSP students including Conflict Management and anger control and management. These services have also been extended to NATI’s regular students.
Among the recommended actions are that the frequency of assemblies at the institution must be increased and sections of the rules and procedures must be discussed at these assemblies. At these assemblies, students will be encouraged to report incidents and the procedure for doing so must be explained.
To further address the issue of bullying on a bigger scale, the Institute will be launching an Anti-bullying campaign to ensure that students are sensitized on the negative effects of bullying. The Institute is to be declared a ‘No-Bullying’ Institution.