The Opposition APNU/PNCR today raised concerns over a recent spike troubling issues and incidents that are plaguing schools across the country.

At a press conference today, APNU Member of Parliament, Dexter Todd said the issue of bullying needs to be addressed head-on and not reactively.

He said the increase of violent fighting and bullying in and out of schools, as well as weapons being found in schools and sexual assault claims against teachers represent a worrying trend.

“We are very concerned that this situation is a reflection of several factors.Topping the list is the incompetence and absent vision of the government. Second, is the trend that some members of the government have been accused of similar acts and now those acts are becoming culture in our society and sadly finding its way into our schools. Third, the state of affairs when one considers how Guyanese Citizens have to live on meager salaries, high cost of living and the increase in poverty. These factors have complicated the situation which has resulted in a fight for survival giving formation to gangs, the attraction of monies for sexual favours, demanding of sexual favours for grades and display of arrogance because of one’s political affiliation,” the Opposition MP said.

Mr. Todd said the country needs a strengthened incident reporting system that ensures the students have safety in complaining and seeking justice.

He said the Ministry of Education must investigate the problems with urgency, and ensure that the matters are properly addressed.

“The security system should be improved in schools; in many schools, students enter and leave the premises as they feel. Students should only leave the premises by permission or at dismissal. Many times, during unorthodox hours, students are seen out of school, unsupervised,” Mr. Todd stated.

Todd said students did not create the circumstances they now face and Government must seek to find solutions rather than blaming them.

“The focus must shift from blame to responsibility. It is time to invest in guidance counseling, teacher training, community engagement, and policies that place students at the center of recovery efforts. Our students are not a “pandemic gang.” They are young citizens in need of understanding, structure, and opportunity. Let us treat them as the valuable future,” Mr. Todd said.

The Government recently launched a national anti-bullying campaign, but the problem persists in the education system.

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