Education Specialist in the Ministry of Education and former Chief Education Officer Dr. Olato Sam was shot dead early this morning while in the company of a group of friends at the Plaisance Line Top hangout on the East Coast of Demerara.
According to reports, gunshots were heard in the area and moments later, the senior Education Official was seen collapsing to the ground while clutching his chest. He was shot to the chest. Some of his friends rushed him to the Georgetown Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
There are conflicting reports about the shooting incident.
However, in a statement, the Guyana Police Force explained that two persons at a bar opposite where Mr. Sam was with his friends, got into a fight, and it was during that fight across the road that someone whipped out a gun and fired shots.
Sam was hit by one of the stray bullets. The Police said two persons have since been arrested in connection with the investigations. News Source understands that one of the persons in custody is an ex-Policeman who was previously charged for murder and found not guilty.
The Police Force would not provide details on the suspects.
In a statement early this morning, the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, while expressing condolences to the wife and family of Dr. Sam, noted his contributions to the education sector over the years.
The Ministry of Education said he was successful in programme management while always remaining abreast of developments in the education sector and innovations within the sector. He served as Chief Education Officer between 2011 and 2016, and took on the new role as Education Specialist in 2020.
He was also a lecturer at the University of Guyana and a member of the Teaching Service Commission, as well as a member of the final awards committee of the Caribbean Examinations Council.
Dr. Olato Sam also held a number of other key positions in the Education sector across Guyana and the Caribbean.
The Ministry of Education said that as Education Specialist, he was working on a number of projects and initiatives, with the most recent being a project to address violence in schools.
The investigations into his shooting death are ongoing.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login