A young schoolboy stabbed a fellow student after a row exploded into violence yesterday.

Now education chiefs are probing the Warwick Secondary School stabbing which left the 14-year-old victim in hospital.

It comes amid Police alarm over mounting violence among youngsters over the last three years.

Chief Education Officer Mr. Dean Furbert said he was "greatly concerned'' by the latest incident.

"The fact that minors are expressing themselves through violence is of particular concern.

"I believe it reflects an increase in violence generally throughout the community.'' The stabbing occurred at about 12.40 p.m. yesterday.

Police said the victim was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital by ambulance after being stabbed in the arm.

"It is believed the two boys were engaged in an argument,'' said Police spokesman P.c. Gary Venning.

He added a 14-year-old Pembroke boy was in custody in connection with the incident, and enquiries were continuing.

Police spokesman Insp. Roseanda Jones said: "We know a knife was used in the stabbing, but I don't know the extent of the wound, although it is not life-threatening.

"I think it's absolutely outrageous this should happen. It goes to show how badly things are falling apart socially. It's very sad.'' She pointed out it was the second incident this week involving youngsters and a knife.

In the first one, an 11-year-old boy allegedly held a nine-year-old at knifepoint during an attempted robbery at Dockyard on Tuesday.

The 11-year-old has been interviewed by Police, and is now in the custody of his parents.

"As far as what will happen to him, it is early days. I sometimes think the answer is not always to throw people into court. All the circumstances have to be looked at.'' Warwick Secondary School principal Mrs. Patricia Holder was reluctant to comment on the incident.

"All I want to say is that it is under investigation.'' Yesterday, the Department of Education's Mr. Furbert said Mrs. Holder had informed him about the stabbing.

"It is being looked at as a matter of course -- incidents like that are investigated with the school principal. At this stage, I am not aware of all the circumstances.'' Mr. Furbert added: "Of course, it's of great concern to us that we see incidents of violence at all levels of the community.'' It was particularly worrying that juveniles -- mirroring adults -- were resorting to violence.

Mr. Furbert said the Department of Education had programmes in schools to help children make "appropriate decisions'' when settling differences.

"The education system is aware of the trend of violence and has responded appropriately.'' One response was the Lion's Life Skills programme, he said.

"We also have training for teachers in dealing with disruptive behaviour among students.

"But, of course, schools mirror the community and so to a great extent unfortunately what we are seeing in our students is a direct reflection of way in which our community is going generally.

"I suppose in order to address the problem effectively there is a need for an all-out community response in terms of the family, church and other agencies.'' Mr. Furbert went on to underline the role parents played.

"We do approach parents at every school level over matters of behaviour and discipline through Parent Teacher Association meetings, and through special counselling sessions.

"It will also be done through special events involving parents.'' Mr. Furbert said he was concerned at the thought of schoolchildren carrying knives.

"I expect parents will be aware of what their children are doing, what they are carrying in their bags. It's very unfortunate to have to record incidents such as these.'' Insp. Gertie Barker, who specialises juvenile crime, spoke of a dramatic increase in violence among youngsters.

The trend was particularly marked over the last two to three years.

"Kids have little tolerance and ability to communicate with each other without violence,'' she said.

Insp. Barker added: "There is a lack of parental guidance and good role models in society.

EDUCATION ED