Following the school fights that erupted over negative social media posts, the school administrations and SRC of Don Bosco Technical School and De La Salle Secondary School signed a Joint Statement on the need to dissipate external negative influence on their students.
In the joint statement, they declared that both schools have been victims of the irresponsible use of the social media platform, by external individuals.
“Negative and unfounded posts on Facebook and WhatsApp have triggered a chain of ill-feelings and resentment among our students.”
“Yesterday we (DBTS and DLSS administration and SRCs) met at the NCD Education Services Division to take concrete steps to our commitment.”
The schools stated that they are grateful to Mr. Peter Kants, First Assistant Secretary, for his presence and directive and other members of the Education Service Division for chairing the meeting.
“We also met with his Eminence Sir John Cardinal Ribat MSC who listened to us and gave us his blessing and guidance.”
With the help of competent authorities, both schools want to identify the root causes of the issue and hold responsible the authors of the content circulated on the internet that hurt our students’ feelings and put at stake their good name.
“Consequently, we are in the process of investigating the matter and will deal appropriately with registered students who have incited their companions to take the law into their own hands.”
Additionally, they have appealed to their dear students to have recourse to reason and their best character.
“You are not what people say or want you to be.”
“You have a noble dignity, created in the image and likeness of God.”
“No one can take this dignity from you, much less a Facebook post.”
“Beware of the consequences of your decisions and actions.”
Meanwhile as per NCD Education Service Division, with whom both schools also met with yesterday, in the event of another fight, their grade 10 and 12 students will not sit for their National Exams, nor will they be certified.
“Let us not forget that we are all brothers and sisters of our Heavenly Father.”
“As Matthew 5:9 states, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God’.”