The Ministry of Education’s investigation into the death of eight-year-old St Margaret’s pupil Joshua Hubbard, who was pushed down by a classmate at school, has been completed and is with the Minister of Education, Chief Educa-tion Officer (CEO) Olato Sam said yesterday.
The CEO did not disclose the findings of the investigation but said that the report has been handed over to the minster, who will decide on the next step/s to be taken, if any, into the matter.
Father of the child, Orin Hubbard, told Stabroek News yesterday that he is eager to know what the findings of the ministry’s investigation are. He said he would like to know what transpired at his son’s school on the day of the incident so as to bring closure to his death.
Hubbard said, “I just want them to give me a good report and not leave it just like that. Nobody from the boy’s side has come to us to say anything.” He said he understands it was a child who allegedly pushed his son down but it would help him to heal, if the parent of the child had spoken to him since all he wants is to hear what they have to say.
Joshua Hubbard, of Kitty, died while receiving medical attention at a private hospital in the city after he woke up in the wee hours of the morning, complaining of excruciating pain. He died as a result of a fractured spine, blunt trauma to the neck and haemorrhaging in the brain, a post-mortem examination (PME) revealed.
The child was allegedly pushed by another boy who wanted the rose he had bought for his mother for Valentine’s Day and became annoyed when he could not take it away.
His father had told this newspaper that when he collected his son from school on the day of the incident he appeared normal and did indicate to him that he was pushed down by another pupil, who did not even have the courtesy to tell him sorry and they continued to talk on their way home.
The man had also said his son did not complain of pain anywhere, or of feeling unwell apart from telling him that he wanted “puri” to eat, which he bought for him. The father only became aware that something was wrong with the child after he woke up in the wee hours of the morning, screaming for pain and was then rushed to the emergency room but efforts by doctors to save his life were unsuccessful.
