Police, education officials probe Jayden’s death…

Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly is asking the public to be responsible with their comments and actions in response to the death of 15-year-old St Stephen’s College student Jayden Lalchan.

Following allegations that Lalchan took his own life on October 3 because he was being bullied at school, there has been outrage and sadness on social media. However, some individuals have begun targeting and attacking a student believed to have been involved in the matter, naming him and posting pictures on social media, inflaming the situation further.

In a WhatsApp response to Guardian Media yesterday, the minister said his death is tragic and the ministry extends its condolences to the bereaved family and Jayden’s school community.

Based on the report received, however, she said the first indication that Jayden was having difficulty at school came in the form of a letter from Jayden to a teacher on September 17. The letter referenced teasing by another student, which was being investigated by the dean.

On September 26, she said, a student pulled Jayden’s mask, and Jayden retaliated by punching the student. A teacher quelled the altercation. As reported, she said, Jayden’s parent visited the school for the first time on September 27 but did not meet with the principal. She said Jayden continued to attend school without any further reported incidents until he tragically ended his life.

The minister said, “No evidence has been presented to suggest that Jayden was made to endure years of sustained bullying, as there were no prior or subsequent reports of bullying made to the school, and no reports to the ministry on this issue.”

However, she said the TTPS has indicated they are investigating the incident and the ministry will collaborate in any way required.

Gadsby-Dolly noted, however, that this issue is very emotive and emotional, and, as a nation, “we grieve with Jayden’s parents.”

“However, I have seen some adults on social media, without full knowledge of the circumstances, naming and blaming a young man, sharing his picture, and making incendiary comments. This is extremely unfortunate and simply wrong; adults are engaging in the same behaviour, bullying, which they are accusing the young man of. Let us carefully consider the example being set for our young people, whom we expect so much of,” Gadsby-Dolly said.

“Our youth look to us, and regardless of the situation and our feelings, we all have a responsibility to show them the best example possible.”

The minister said the ministry has extended counselling services and support to Jayden’s parents and schoolmates, and encouraged all students and parents to take advantage of the services provided by social workers and guidance counsellors at their schools. She also reminded parents that counselling is available through the Ministry of Sport and Community Development’s Community Mediation offices and the Ministry of Social Development’s Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-COPE (2673).

Anglican board: School staff must provide answers

Meanwhile, as investigations continue into Lalchan’s death, St Stephen’s College staff members will have to account to the school board for their alleged inaction in addressing his years of complaints at the institution.

This was the word from patron of the Bishop Anstey Association (BAA), Murchison Brown, as he described the death of Lalchan as sad and unfortunate.

Brown said there was shock and disbelief after he received reports which had revealed Lalchan had “been complaining since he had been in Form One.”

He said the school principal and teachers will have questions to answer as the matter is analysed and dissected further in the coming days.

Asked why school officials had not acted on the alleged complaints, Brown said these answers would be among those sought as they now had to determine “what happened coming down the line.”

He added, “The principal and teachers, they must know and I am sure these complaints should have gone to them and it is very sad to see this is the outcome of it.”

Brown said while the school board was not currently structured as it ought to be, he was authorised to speak on the matter that had, “now come home and hit us.”

As a parent who lost a child less than one year ago, Brown expressed heartfelt sympathies to Lalchan’s family, saying he too has struggled to digest just what could have driven Lalchan to take the action he had.

“It is rather unfortunate that it has reached to this stage, that he decided in the end to take his life, which is very unfortunate for a young, young man,” Brown said.

Confirming Lalchan was a top performing student, Brown said, “We trust this is a message to all parents, teachers and their school administration that a lot of observation must be paid to children at home and students at school, because for this to happen is sad and we have to make sure this does not happen again.”

He added, “As far as the school is concerned, I would hope that the principal and the teachers are taking some interest and investigating.”

Brown assured the BAA will be seeking answers from the principal and teachers about what actually happened.

“We will await some kind of report from them so we can see that this does not happen again. For him to be complaining since he was in Form One, that says a lot. It means, and I wonder at all, if any serious action was taken on the complaints,” Brown stated.

“If he was complaining from Form One to Four, and complaining to the relevant persons, then that is not a nice thing at all.”

Asked if school officials could face disciplinary action if the were found to be culpable, Brown said, “We would wait to see what reports are coming from the principal and the teachers who taught him before we can talk about any action at all.”

Asked if he was aware of other students being bullied at the school, Brown placed that on the shoulders of school officials, saying, “The principal and they will have to answer some questions because I am sure they are aware of what is taking place. We have got to hear from them.”

On the issue of mental health among young people, he said, “We have to start looking at what happens not only in the schools, but we have to see what happens coming from the home too. Children have to be observed and any strange behaviour has to be taken seriously.

“You cannot take strange behaviour and feel it is something funny or a joke. This is where parents have to be on their P’s and Q’s too because that doesn’t just happen in schools, it is a combination of the home environment and the school, so both teachers and parents must be observant of their children.”

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