By Shuntel Glasgow
The 5th form student of Golden Grove Secondary School, who was struck in the head with a cricket bat by another student on Thursday afternoon, has suffered a fractured skull and severe brain damage.
The 16-year-old has been identified as Jamal Darin Reid, a 5th form student of Golden Grove Secondary, East Coast Demerara.
Pheona Carroll, his aunt, told Stabroek News that her nephew suffered severe brain damage as a result of the injury and as a result, loss of movement on the left side of his body.
“He can’t move anything on the left side. Today he was trying to move his hand and fingers on the left side and it was difficult. His eye on the left side was close down. He tried opening it today and it did open but little bit. His left side face not moving only the right side.”
Carroll stated that Reid has undergone a few surgeries thus far. He is currently experiencing bleeding in the brain and as a result, two draining bags were attached to his head on the left and right sides.
Additionally, Reid is unable to eat, drink or use the washroom independently and as a result a urine bag was attached. According to the information the doctors related to the family, Reid is in a stable but critical condition since the outcome is unpredictable because of the severity of the injury, with the road to recovery described as being a long one.
Reid was preparing to sit the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams in 2024.
The woman explained that since Reid regained consciousness, he explained what happened on the day of the incident. He related that on Wednesday an argument ensued over a mathematics School Based Assessment (SBA) between him and the other student. The argument concluded before the class session was over. The student allegedly posted on his WhatsApp status on Wednesday evening saying, “Somebody will die tomorrow.” On Thursday afternoon, a few minutes before school was dismissed, the student threw a squib at Reid. Reid’s friends then questioned the student about his actions and they had a scuffle and it ended. A few minutes later after the scuffle, Reid was standing on the school’s tarmac when the student came from behind and struck him to the head with a cricket bat. According to the aunt that was the last thing he remembered until he regained consciousness at the hospital.
Stabroek News was told that after the incident, Reid subsequently collapsed. He then experienced episodes of seizures and blood was seen gushing from his head. He was rushed to the Dr. CC Nicholson Nabaclis Hospital, where he regained consciousness and was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery for a fractured skull.
The saddened aunt expressed her dissatisfaction over the incident and stated that the attacker’s family is yet to engage them properly about the incident. Reid told his aunt that he is afraid to return to school since his attacker would usually attend school with a knife.
The family is calling on the Ministry of Education and other relevant authorities to intervene in the matter. They believe that the act was premediated.
“Why would he take a bat and lash him in the head? she asked. We’re frustrated, nobody is talking to us as to what will happen to the other child or the situation. Not even the mother to say sorry because at least mother to mother because her son was involved. We are calling on the minister and the president to look into this.”
Reid’s mother is a single parent of four and because of the incident she is unable to work. They are fearful that Reid’s condition might worsen.
Persons who wish to assist the family can contact them on 650-0682 or 686-0807.
In recent months there have been several incidents of student on student violence.
On September 9, 2023, a video circulated on social media showed a female student of the New Campbellville Secondary School being hit about her body by her classmate. Meanwhile, on September 15, 2023, a fight involving two male students of the same school was reported to the Ministry of Education. In the video which also circulated on social media one of the students was kicked and stomped in his head by another male student. Investigations into both cases were conducted and the parents of all the students involved were engaged.
The Ministry says it has provided support to the parents of the injured students, this includes ensuring that they underwent medical examinations.
