Teenager questioned after boy, 14, stabbed at Pembroke's St Clare's College

A 14-year-old boy is being questioned by police after a pupil was stabbed with a knife at St Clare's College in Pembroke.

The victim, another 14-year-old boy, was taken to hospital for treatment and is in a stable condition, according to police.

Emergency services were called to the school on Martin Luther King Road at about 7.45am "after an argument that happened between two 14-year-old boys", police spokesperson Brandon Pisani said. 

The victim's family is aware, and the alleged aggressor is being questioned by the police at the school in the presence of his parents.

Pisani stressed that the school is now under control and that parents do not need to worry. He said classes were ongoing and parents do not need to pick up their children.  

The Ministry of Education said the argument was between two foreign students. The two are Libyan students who have been living in Malta for 11 years.

“They were only three when they arrived to Malta so they have always gone to school here,” said Pisani.

The aggressor is believed to have been suspended from school for a while.

Two ambulances at the school after a 14-year-old boy was stabbed. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

The assistant head of the school earlier addressed parents, telling them that one child was in hospital and that the school is now safe. He said the school would be sharing that information via SMS with parents.

However, around 20 parents turned up at the school and several took their children out despite the assurances.

One shocked parent said: "They take the kids phones but they don't check for knives?!"

Another said, "I have been saying they need more security." One parent suggested the idea of having security scanning machines while others nodded their heads in agreement.

The Malta Union of Teachers said it was closely following the case and was in contact with the Education Ministry.  

The Union of Professional Educators also expressed its solidarity and offered support to teachers.

The Education Ministry said the Victim Support Agency is supporting students and educators who witnessed the incident. 

Back in 2019, teachers at the school had complained about racial tensions at the school, saying things were "getting out of control".

Those complaints surfaced after a child ended up in hospital when he was attacked by a fellow student.

Magistrate Philip Galea Farrugia is conducting an inquiry. 

'A wake-up call'

The dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Colin Calleja in a statement said this incident must serve as a collective wake-up call.

"Violence has no place in our schools, and every institution involved in the upbringing and protection of young people bears a shared responsibility: schools, families, authorities, and broader society. Safety in education cannot be left to schools alone; it requires coordinated and systemic commitment," he said.

"As educators and as a community, we must now move forward with three priorities: healing for those directly affected, strengthened safeguards for students and staff, and renewed public trust that schools remain safe spaces for learning and growth.

"Rather than react with blame or division, this moment calls for unity, care, and decisive collaboration." 

Government urged to take all necessary measures for safety in schools

The Nationalist Party expressed its regret over the incident, appealed for calm and urged the government to take all necessary steps to reassure parents, students, and educators about safety in schools.

"While the Partit Nazzjonalista has full confidence in the school’s leadership and in the ongoing investigation, it expresses its concern about this case, which further highlights the importance of discipline in schools – an aspect to which the Partit Nazzjonalista has always given great importance," it said.

"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."

"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," Justin Schembri, the shadow minister of education and Darren Carabott, shadow minister for Home Affairs said.

The Labour Party later accused the PN of "partisanship" in a statement responding to the Opposition's words.

"The Nationalist Party has become so entrenched in partisanship that it has even dragged an incident between two children into the political arena," the party said. 

"An isolated case should not undermine the full trust that should exist in the authorities and all workers in the education sector."

'Distressing incident'

President Emeritus Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca said her thoughts were with the school’s staff, students and their families since learning of the “troubling” news earlier that day.

Writing on Facebook, Coleiro Preca said she was “proud” of professionals from The Malta Trust Foundation, who responded by providing support services to those at the school following the "distressing" incident.

“In moments like these, when our young people and school communities are shaken, their unwavering commitment, professionalism, and compassion make a meaningful difference”, she said.

“We will continue standing firmly with this school community as they navigate the days ahead.”