The People’s National Congress Reform, (PNCR) in a February 18, 2023 statement, said the party “vehemently condemns the actions of some residents of Woodley Park, West Coast Berbice, that is, assault causing bodily harm and emotional abuse to students in school at Woodley Park Secondary School and causing public terror in the community. “
The Party provided that “On the 17th of February 2023, during the instructional period, the peace of Woodley Park Secondary School was disturbed by some residents of Woodley Park Village, West Coast Berbice. During this disturbance (which was a continuation of a similar occurrence on the 16th of February 2023 on the entrance streets to the school) Afro-Guyanese students were physically assaulted and verbally abused as seen in a video emanating from parents of students from the above-mentioned school.
“Persons were seen armed with pieces of wood walking around the compound of the school as parents and teachers confronted the intruders in the presence of students. In the said video recording one student complained to a teacher that he was cuffed. Subsequently, photographs from parents sent to Member of Parliament Mr. Vinceroy Jordan showed the severity of physical injuries to the hands, feet and head of the affected students. One parent stated on her Facebook page, ‘After physically abusing the children they said this is a coolie area black man not supposed to be here.’”
According to the PNCR the non-action of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration and the police to the alleged assault is sending the wrong signal and might very well encourage the further terrorising of the affected children and embolden the aggressors.
Further, said the party, “it should also be noted that the act of terrorising one ethnic group will exacerbate racial tension and does not augur well for ethnic unity.”
The Party is also demanding the intervention of the Ethnic Relations Commission and the Ministers of Education and Home Affairs on the matter.
The PNCR full statement follows:-
RACIAL ATTACKS ON SCHOOL CHILDREN IN REGION #5
On the 17th of February 2023, during the instructional period, the peace of Woodley Park Secondary School was disturbed by some residents of Woodley Park Village, West Coast Berbice. During this disturbance (which was a continuation of a similar occurrence on the 16th of February 2023 on the entrance streets to the school) Afro-Guyanese students were physically assaulted and verbally abused as seen in a video emanating from parents of students from the above-mentioned school.
Persons were seen armed with pieces of wood walking around the compound of the school as parents and teachers confronted the intruders in the presence of students. In the said video recording one student complained to a teacher that he was cuffed. Subsequently, photographs from parents sent to Member of Parliament Mr. Vinceroy Jordan showed the severity of physical injuries to the hands, feet and head of the affected students. One parent stated on her Facebook page, “After physically abusing the children they said this is a coolie area black man not supposed to be here.”
While parents and teachers tried their utmost to put the intruders out of the compound, they vowed in the presence of all to return after lunch on Friday 17th of February 2023. This matter was then reported to the Department of Education, Region No. 5 while the parents reported the matter to the Police.
It is reported that as the Villagers promised to return the following day, a larger gang of villagers converged at the school and attacked only Afro-Guyanese students this time causing bodily injuries, disrupting school sessions for the remainder of the day by entering the school compound half-dressed and consuming alcoholic substances. There was no Security Guard at the school.
A follow up on the reports that was made by teachers and parents at the Fort Wellington Police Station indicated that no arrest was made. Senior Officials of the school visited the Education Department seeking immediate help but at that time no Education Officer was present to give guidance while the Regional Education Officer could not be reached by telephone.
The Ministry of Education through the Department of Education has failed to visit the school or the affected children and parents so as to give guidance on this matter. This leaves the parents and teachers with more questions of their safety and security of their well-being both at school and while traversing the community to get to school. Member of Parliament Vinceroy Jordan met and spoke with several teachers, parents, and students who all expressed fear for their lives and safety at school. To date the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Home Affairs have not visited the affected persons nor issued a statement on the matter.
We are, therefore, calling on the Ministers of Education and Home Affairs to immediately investigate this matter and put mechanisms in place so as to ensure that instructional periods are not further disturbed and the parents and students can feel safe returning to school.
We believe that the Rights of the Child Commission as an independent body has an active role to play in this particular matter in ensuring they advocate for the rights and interests of children and the young people affected in this heinous crime.
Further, we wish to call on the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) which has a constitutional function, to foster a sense of security among all ethnic groups while encouraging and promoting the understanding, acceptance and tolerance of diversity in all aspects of national life and promoting full participation by all ethnic groups in the social, economic, cultural and political life of the people and to investigate and report on matters contrary to this function. We call on the Ethnic Relations Commission to investigate this matter and make the findings of this matter public.
We vehemently condemn the actions of some residents of Woodley Park, West Coast Berbice, that is, assault causing bodily harm and emotional abuse to our students in school at Woodley Park Secondary School and causing public terror in the community. The non-action of the PPP/C administration and the police is sending the wrong signal and might very well encourage the further terrorizing of the affected children and embolden the aggressors. It should also be noted that the act of terrorising one ethnic group will exacerbate racial tension and does not augur well for ethnic unity.
