The Education Ministry is examining reports into the forcible hair cutting of a male student by three teachers at the Vauxhall High school, with a view to apply sanction, where applicable.

A team from the ministry visited the school to gather information and collect statements from the persons involved.

A statement from the Education Ministry says it is reviewing written reports and statements related to the alleged forced trimming of a male student’s hair, by three teachers at the Vauxhall high school in Kingston earlier this week.

This follows reports to the ministry’s safety and security in schools’ unit that on Tuesday, May 30, three male members of staff employed to the school forcefully restrained a grade 10 male student, on the floor of a building on the school compound and proceeded to use a pair of scissors to trim his hair against his will.

The student and his mother later reported the incident to the police and formal charges were brought against the teachers implicated.

The ministry requested statements, which should include a mandatory critical incident report and these were submitted today.

Education ministry officials who visited the school sought to ascertain, among other things the nature and extent of the incident, and whether there was any breach of the ministry’s safety and security policy guidelines.

The ministry said the reports and or statements received should be used by the school board and/or its relevant committee, guided by the education act, education regulation, 1980 to inform the application of administrative sanctions, if any, to the three male teachers implicated in the incident.

The school board has received copies of the reports and will meet next week to review the incident.

In the interim, the Education ministry has recommended that as a matter of priority, the vacant position of dean of discipline be filled in the shortest possible time.

Another recommendation is that on-going contact be established and maintained with the student and his parents, to determine his continued enrolment in Vauxhall high school or another public educational institution, if that is the desire of the family.

The ministry says the issue of students’ conformity to the established dress code of public educational institution must be observed and complied with at all times.

Additionally, the school wide positive behaviour intervention and support or any other ministry established behaviour modification programme is to be assessed by the guidance and counselling unit within Region 1 and if necessary, appropriate technical support be given to strengthen the supporting programmes.

Also recommended is that within the shortest possible time, a staff development session be organized and convened with the support of the regional guidance and counselling unit to ensure that all levels of staff are re-sensitized about the issue of duty of care and the appropriate actions available to treat with students’ behaviour problems.

Meantime, the Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA) says its awaiting a formal report into the incident, which has resulted in three Vauxhall High school teachers being charged for the assault of a student.

JTA President Howard Isaacs, says the association is concerned about the developments.

The teachers have been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, and unlawful wounding.

They will face the court next Thursday, June 8.

The Elletson road police report that  about 7:30 a.m on Tuesday, three teachers allegedly shaved a male student’s head, during which the child received bruises.

Reports are that earlier this week, the male student was sent home and told to get his hair trimmed.

Its reported that he went to the barber shop, and had his hair cut.

Its further reported that the boy returned to school the next day, and was allegedly held down by some teachers and his hair cut.

The parents of the boy reported the matter to the police.

Mr Isaacs says the report on the incident will determine what steps the union will take