WATCH | Student stabbed at St Clare's College in Pembroke

A 14-year-old student attending St Clare’s College in Pembroke has been stabbed by a fellow student at school on Monday morning.

MaltaToday understands that the victim and aggressor are both boys aged 14. They are Libyan but have been living in Malta since they were three years old.

The knife-wielding student is being questioned by police in the presence of a legal guardian. The alleged victim was rushed to Mater Dei Hospital. He is in a stable condition, according to a police spokesperson. He said the incident took place in the yard just before 8am.

Despite the incident, the school did not close and all staff remained on site. Forensic experts were also at the school.

Dozens of worried parents rushed to the school following the stabbing. Speaking to MaltaToday, one parent said she was frustrated at the lack of information provided by the school following the incident. 

"I found out on Facebook," she said, as two students sat beside her still shaken from the stabbing.

Later, parents started being called in to pick up their children. It is understood that some parents contacted the school earlier to tell them that they would be picking up their children.

Many were frustrated at the lack of information, saying that they were terrified on Monday morning when they found out about the stabbing from media reports.

Parents were told that before letting their children leave, they were being assessed by nurses to ensure that they are mentally fit to leave.

Former President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, who heads The Malta Trust Foundation, was also seen at the school. She told MaltaToday that the foundation was present at the school with four professionals to give preliminary psycho-social support to students and staff. The professionals are employees of The Malta Trust Foundation, who work with the Blossom Project that seeks to provide counselling services in schools.

The Education Ministry later released a statement explaining that the argument took place between two foreign students, with one using a sharp instrument. One of the students was taken to hospital for treatment. 

Meanwhile, the ministry engaged the Victim Support Agency to make sure students and educators are supported throughout the case. The school's management is also cooperating fully with police investigations.

The Malta Union of Teachers said it is following the case and has contacted the Education Ministry for support.

PN calls for calm but raises concerns over discipline 

Reacting to the incident, the Nationalist Party (PN) called for calm, while urging government to take all necessary steps and reassure parents, students, and educators about safety in schools.

“Public perception of schools in cases such as this can easily shift and our educational system cannot be allowed to acquire a reputation for lack of safety. The government therefore has a duty to act so that parents, students, and educators can have peace of mind regarding school safety and a secure educational environment,” spokespersons for education and home affairs Justin Schembri and Darren Carabott said.

The PN said it has full confidence in the school’s leadership and in the ongoing investigation, but voiced concern over discipline in schools. “Incidents like today’s raise concern and call for stronger measures to ensure that teachers, educators, and students feel safer at school, and to prevent the holistic school environment from being undermined by unnecessary fear and insecurity,” it said.