A pall of grief hung over Kingston Technical High School this morning as students and teachers visibly mourned the loss of 16-year-old Michian Campbell, who was fatally stabbed Thursday during a dispute with another female student.
The Grade 11 student was stabbed in the head and neck.
Her attacker, also from Grade 11, has been arrested.
Principal Maulton Campbell declined to speak on what led to the dispute between the girls.
Mr. Campbell said more than 20 counsellors from the Ministry of Education held sessions with the Grade 11 cohort and teachers.
He told Radio Jamaica News that the "traumatic" incident, which has left the school population distraught, affected student attendance on Friday.
According to Mr. Campbell, the school has not had a violent incident among students for several years.
He said most of the school's teachers are trained students in restorative justice practices, especially to help the children coming from communities and homes "where there is no structure", but he admitted that sometimes these students' frustrations "play out" at school.
The principal said the focus, now, will be on reinforcing the tools for conflict resolution among the student population.
Mr. Campbell noted that all students are searched before entering the school daily.
