News
Statement onGeorge Hicks Incident
In the wake intensemedia speculation concerning an incident at George Hicks HighSchool on 18 January, the Education Department has released thefollowing statement
On Friday, January 18, George Hicks High School staff dealt withan incident of over-familiarity between a group of boys and girlsthat was reported to them on that day.
In interviews the young people concernedreported that the incident had originated as a "game"between the male and female students and resulted in the boysinappropriately touching the girls. Some of the male studentswere suspended from school, some received a week of detentionand all have been referred to counselors. Students who were suspendedwill be placed on school report when they return to classes.
Principal Adora Bodden-Groome and her seniorstaff fully briefed the children's parents, the Education Departmentand the school's police officer. At this stage the school believedthat it had resolved the matter internally.
Following references to the incident invarious media, the principal gave details to a Home School Associationmeeting that included the parents of some of the children involved.She indicated that the boys had behaved unacceptably and werepunished within the parameters prescribed by school procedure.Yet parents also have the legal right to pursue the matter withthe police. In addition police require parental consent beforethey can interview and record statements from children under theage of 18 and parents have the right to attend interviews.
At present the matter is under investigationby the Family Support Unit of the Royal Cayman Islands Police.Officers have spoken to the female students, taken witness statements,and made appointments to interview the male students. The EducationDepartment will issue a further statement when police report theirfindings.
Meanwhile the department expresses its fullconfidence in the school's prompt and efficient handling of amatter that involves the safety as well as the privacy of minorchildren.