MCAST to decide on bullies' future after inquiry

The principal of the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) said yesterday that a decision on the future of the five students who received a one-month suspended jail term for bullying would be taken after an internal inquiry is completed.

Frank Edwards told The Sunday Times that the college would take into consideration the offenders' guilty plea and their sentence before taking a decision.

"They have created a serious problem for themselves which could be a serious handicap for them regarding their future," Mr Edwards said.

"We will definitely take the appropriate action to ensure that the students themselves, if they are allowed to stay on campus, will never again be tempted to commit a similar, or any other, crime."

The principal said he wanted to assure the public, parents and students that incidents of bullying would be dealt with clearly and decisively.

Five MCAST students aged between 16 and 17 pleaded guilty in court on Friday to bullying a fellow student. Police began an investigation after video footage from a mobile phone was shown on the online newspaper Maltastar.com

Mr Edwards said: "At the college there is no place for such behaviour. My chairman and I, as well as my administrative and lecturing staff with the support of the student body, will leave no stone unturned in both exposing and dealing with such issues whenever they crop up."

He added that the college took immediate and decisive action. It had co-operated fully with the police and set up an internal board of inquiry.

The fact that the matter was presented in court on a public holiday shows a remarkable response speed and gives a loud and clear message that bullying is not acceptable behaviour anywhere at MCAST or in society.

Asked what measures the college was taking to prevent further instances of bullying, Mr Edwards said there were several mechanisms whereby students could report such incidents to the administration of their institute or the college authorities.

They may refer cases to counsellors, or to the student information and support services.

"If the police need to be brought into the picture, we will not hesitate to ask for their support and expertise," he added.

Mr Edwards said he met the MCAST Students' Council which promised to work with the college authorities to promote and ensure a zero tolerance policy on bullying of any shape or form and to create an environment where students would be able to report such instances in confidence so that appropriate action is taken.

The principal said that looking after the needs of the victim in this case was the number one priority.

"We have already talked to him, guaranteeing our support. The police were fantastic and very professional in the way they dealt with and supported this young person and we will continue the support with our professionally trained college counsellors.

"We will also carefully monitor the situation and further action may be taken if required."

He said that even though the culprits may not admit it, they also need counselling.

"Their parents must ensure that they grow up to be healthy young men. Their characters have now been marred by a criminal record and seriously tainted. They may need as much psychological care as the victim, if not more."

Mr Bencini said he expected the education authorities to take all the necessary steps and provide the offenders with the care they need.

"They need it as much as the victim. The bullies need to receive rehabilitation with social workers and psychologists and a team of experts.

"Apart from disciplinary measures, they have to be placed under the care of a multi disciplinary team and return to school only when the specialists believe they have been rehabilitated and should return to mainstream education."

Mr Bencini said the Education Department took the issue of bullying very seriously. Guidance teachers in schools as well as counsellors and children know what to do in cases of bullying.

Bullying is, however, more subtle in tertiary education because children are older and there is less awareness about the problem than there is in primary and secondary schools.

Mr Bencini said that students in post-secondary education were more afraid to speak out so the problem was more serious.

"These are hidden problems and there are more cases than we know about. And although this is a very unfortunate case, it can open the eyes of many people and create awareness in the tertiary sector," he said.

The MUT, he said, had already carried a survey on the issue and found cause for concern.

In the case of MCAST, Mr Bencini said, he himself had brought another case to the authorities' attention, but, unfortunately, the alleged victim did not want to take action. He has since suffered from depression, left the school and is afraid to leave his home.