Todd, APNU Sound Alarm on School Violence

Attorney-at-law and Member of Parliament Dr. Dexter Todd has raised concerns over what he described as a growing breakdown of discipline in schools, warning that recent incidents of violence and misconduct point to deeper systemic issues within the education sector.

Reading a statement on behalf of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), a political partnership which holds 12 seats in the National Assembly, Todd said the opposition is troubled by a recent spike in school-related incidents circulating on social media, including bullying, violent fights, and allegations of inappropriate relationships involving teachers and students.

“Bullying should stop being treated reactively, it should be addressed proactively,” the statement said, adding that there appears to be inconsistency in how school matters are handled, with some cases addressed quickly while others are delayed or disregarded after intervention by education officials.

The partnership argued that the issue of school violence should not fall solely under the Ministry of Education but should involve a broader, multi-agency response, including the Ministries of Home Affairs and Human Services.

Widespread but Underreported Problem

Available data indicate that school violence in Guyana is a growing but underreported problem. Reports suggest that more than 90 per cent of bullying incidents go unreported, meaning the true scale is likely significantly higher.

Incidents involving fighting, bullying, weapon possession, and allegations of sexual misconduct have been recorded across multiple regions, pointing to a nationwide issue rather than isolated cases.

Authorities have also raised concerns about the increasing visibility of such incidents on social media, while the 2023 Mahdia Secondary School dormitory fire, which claimed 20 lives, underscored the potential consequences of weak supervision and systemic shortcomings within the school environment.

Concerns Over Root Causes

The statement outlined what it described as troubling trends, including students being found in possession of weapons, increased fighting in and out of schools, and allegations of sexual misconduct involving educators. It further contended that these developments reflect wider societal challenges.

APNU attributed the situation to several factors, including what it called “the incompetence and absent vision of the government,” as well as economic pressures such as low wages, rising cost of living, and increasing poverty. The partnership also claimed that alleged misconduct by some public officials may be influencing behavior within society and schools.

“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 statement said.

Calls for Systemic Changes

The opposition is calling for the strengthening of incident reporting systems in schools to ensure students can safely report issues and receive timely intervention. It also urged that counselling services be made available to both victims and accused individuals, noting that a lack of trust in existing systems may be leading students to take matters into their own hands.

Additionally, APNU called for improved security measures in schools, pointing out that in some cases students are able to leave and re-enter school compounds without proper supervision.

Opposition Rejects ‘Pandemic Gang’ Label

The partnership also criticised what it described as a growing trend of labeling students as a “pandemic gang,” calling the term “deeply irresponsible” and harmful.

“Our students did not create the circumstances they now face,” the statement said, pointing to the impact of prolonged COVID-19 school closures, inconsistent learning environments, and limited psychosocial support during reintegration into classrooms.

APNU argued that the current challenges reflect gaps in policy and planning rather than failures on the part of students.

“What we are witnessing today is not a failure of student, it is a reflection of systemic shortcomings,” the statement noted, warning that such labels risk shaping negative public perceptions and damaging how young people view themselves.

Call for Immediate Action

APNU urged the government to take urgent action to address the issues affecting schools, emphasizing that students require structure, support, and opportunity rather than stigma.

“Our students are not a ‘pandemic gang.’ They are young citizens in need of understanding, structure, and opportunity,” the statement said.

The partnership concluded with a call for swift intervention, stating, “We call on the government to ACT and ACT NOW!”