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‘Violence, sex scandals and weapons in schools spiraling out of control’ – APNU
(Kaieteur News) – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on Friday voiced its concern over the increase in violence, sex scandals and weapons in schools.
Attorney Dr. Dexter Todd, who is also a Member of Parliament (MP) for the party, told reporters at the party’s weekly press conference that these issues are plaguing schools and have made their way onto social media.
“It must be noted first and foremost that bullying should stop being treated reactively. It should be addressed proactively. It is necessary to look at each incident separately while identifying similar traits. At present, there is a bias in how school issues are dealt with. Some schools have matters dealt with expeditiously while other schools have matters prolonged and even disregarded after a visit from the department,” the attorney explained.
Member of Parliament, Dr. Dexter Todd
He noted that bullying is not an issue that should be solely addressed by the Ministry of Education Ministry but also the ministries of Home Affairs and Human Services. Dr. Todd noted that the sudden increase in violent fights and bullying both in and out of schools, along with the presence of weapons found in the possession of school children, as well as the accusations of sexual relations with students being leveled against teachers are deeply worrying trends.
“We are very concerned about this situation that 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 government have been accused of similar acts and now those acts are becoming culture in our society…sadly finding its way into our schools,” Dr. Todd said.
The MP posited that the meager salaries of ordinary Guyanese, the high cost-of-living and the increase in poverty are factors that have complicated the situation, therefore resulting in a fight for survival.
“While all of this is happening, the nation is left in awe as there’s no immediate end or solution. We need a strengthened incident reporting system that ensures that students have safety in complaining and seeking justice. We must investigate the problems with urgency and show the students that when they complain, they are heard and the matter is dealt with before it escalates,” Dr. Todd advised.
He said that often times students distrust the system, or their information is not protected and this leads to them to take matters into their own hands.
“They resort to restorative justice rather than punitive justice,” he stressed.
Dr. Todd suggested that there be an improvement of security systems in schools across the country to prevent students from entering and leaving as they please. He said students should only leave the school’s compound with permission or at dismissal.
On March 19, Kaieteur News reported that a teacher of a city school was sent on administrative leave following serious allegations, which were made, of a sexual nature involving nine students.
In a statement, the Ministry of Education confirmed reports of the allegations and noted that the children’s parents are being engaged while child protection mechanisms have been activated.
This publication learned that the accused is a Physical Education (PE) teacher and has been employed with the secondary school for some three years.
Meanwhile, in January, Kaieteur News reported that three males: ages 15, 16 and 19 were arrested following the brutal assault of a male student at De Willem, West Coast Demerara.
Disturbing footage, which was widely circulated on social media, shows the victim dressed in what appears to be his school uniform, standing helplessly as he is surrounded by the three suspects. The attackers are seen taking turns threatening, insulting and intimidating the student, with one demanding that he apologises while the others looked on.
Four teens were charged with assault under Section 21 of the Summary Jurisdiction Offences Act, Chapter 8:02.
The defendants appeared at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh, where the charge was read to them jointly.
They all pleaded guilty.
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