THE Oro Christian Grace School administration has placed the Grade 7 student who “accidentally” shot his female batchmate under preventive suspension effective January 30, even as the school’s disciplinary investigation is still ongoing.
In a statement, the school assured that “it will apply the necessary disciplinary procedures in completing the investigation and will implement the applicable policies to the proper and right conclusion and decision on the matter.”
“The school is cooperating with the proper authorities to make sure that this isolated case is properly resolved,” the school said.
The school also said it is currently reviewing the safety and security protocols to prevent similar incidents from happening.
Starting next week, the school said more stringent security inspections will be imposed in the campus and additional security checks such as putting up security cameras, stricter ID check, and security personnel may be implemented to further strengthen the school’s security measures.
The school explained that props were not required for an English Class Verse Choir presentation contrary to what the police earlier disclosed that the boy sneaked in a 9mm pistol to supposedly be used as a prop for a stage play. The said activity was set on February 7.
The administration also clarified that the video of the student showing a grenade to fellow students was a separate incident that occurred on a different day and not in the school premises.
But, a concerned parent, who had requested anonymity, said the grenade was brought in by the student inside the school and showed it to his fellow students which alarmed him and other parents.
“Through the investigation of the police on January 30, it was established from the student that the grenade was nowhere in school on Thursday,” the school said.
After the incident, the school arranged and provided debriefing to the students who have witnessed the incident.
“It is very unfortunate that the initial investigation of the school initially went on the direction of finding the metal rod that the students reported as the cause of the wound/injury of the female student. It was around 10:00 a.m. that some students came forward to the Guidance Office to inform the reality of the situation involving a gun,” the school said.
“We release our official statement only now as the priority was to address the incident and attend to the necessary investigation at hand. We had to cooperate with government authorities. Meetings were also conducted with the Board of Trustees to decide on policies that could immediately be set in place to effectively strengthen our existing safety and security protocols,” the school added.
Meanwhile, the school said the female student who sustained wounds in the stomach is currently out of danger and is now in stable condition.
“We are all saddened by the unfortunate incident... It is at this time that patience, kindness and consideration is highly enjoined from and for all parties involved... In crisis such as this, we continue to look to the Lord for guidance and wisdom and seek to exhibit His love and mercy to one another,” the school said.