Garwin Davis, Senior Gleaner Writer

A freakish accident at the Mar-Jam Preparatory School in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, where a kindergarten student was seriously injured following a nasty fall from atop a playhouse, has triggered an investigation by the Ministry of Education.

The ministry, through its oversight division, is investigating whether the school or anybody is responsible for the incident which has left the four-year-old girl with a fractured skull, a broken nose and a fractured optical bone. The child had to be airlifted by a Jamaica Defence Force helicopter to the Bustamante Children's Hospital in St. Andrew for treatment.

"We have heard about this unfortunate incident and yes, an investigation is already on the way," said Sharon Wolfe, director of communications at the Education Ministry.

"Even though Mar-Jam is not a public institution, in our oversight role, we have to do this. We, however, have to wait for a full report before we can do anything; we have to ensure that we are fair to both sides."

Negligence

The investigation has also been fuelled by concerns raised by the parents that the school's hierarchy has sought to distance itself from the incident, already declaring that there was no evidence of "negligence" on the part of Mar-Jam.

In a letter circulated to parents, dated February 7 - two days after the incident - the school said: "We would like you to know that the incident has been thoroughly investigated and negligence has been ruled out. At the time of the incident the student was alone in the playhouse with the teacher standing in close proximity. We sincerely regret this occurrence and deeply empathise with the parents and everyone concerned."

Yasmeen Traille - the child's mother - said she was "too drained" to comment on the letter. "At this time we are distressed and eager to ensure the healing of my child physically and emotionally before making any further comment," she said. One parent who requested anonymity said it was unfortunate that the letter was sent out during the time when the youngster was battling for survival. "It would have been nice if Mar-Jam had just simply accepted responsibility," she said.

Undergoing treatment

"Accidents do happen, that we all can understand. But to do what they did - circulate a letter to parents two days after the incident, absolving the school from all blame and at a time when the child was still undergoing treatment - is just too much to take. It is clear that their priority lies with protecting the image of the school. It is clear that the well-being of the child is not as important as protecting Mar-Jam at all cost."

Ms. Wolfe, in calling the letter "unfortunate", said it was very important for institutions to realise that they are responsible for the well-being of students. "I have heard about the letter and it is unfortunate that the school decided to send that out, especially at a time when the parents must have been drained emotionally," she said.

"It is also very important that parents act in partnerships with teachers, where parents too play a role in how things get done. Children, especially the younger ones, have to be supervised. That's the only way we can prevent these types of incidents from happening."

Chairman of Mar-Jam, the Rev. Wesley Boynes, was said to be off the island.