The Ministry of Education has issued a public statement following two recent school bullying incidents, but concerns are mounting over the government’s piecemeal and delayed response to what appears to be a deepening crisis of violence in the nation’s schools.
In its September 19th press release, the Ministry confirmed two incidents: one involving students from Charity Secondary School and 8th of May Secondary School in Region Two, and another at New Campbellville Secondary School in Georgetown. The Ministry condemned the violence and reiterated its commitment to student safety.
“The Ministry condemns all forms of bullying and reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that every learner has access to a safe, respectful, and supportive school environment,” the statement read. Investigations have been launched, and “any necessary disciplinary measures will be taken,” it added.
However, observers and education stakeholders say the response is familiar — reactive, vague, and lacking in long-term direction.
There are multiple reports of student-on-student fights, attacks, and threats in schools across the country. The Charity Secondary School and 8th of May Secondary School incidents are not isolated cases, but part of a growing trend that has included concerns about gang-related activity within school compounds — a reality that has prompted fears among parents and teachers alike.
Back in 2023 the Ministry noted that a policy is being drafted to address violence in schools. Then-Minister of Education Priya Manickchand had publicly acknowledged the recurring violence in schools and announced that a comprehensive policy was in development. The plan was to roll it out for the new school term beginning September 4, 2023.
That, however, did not happen.
The delay, according to Manickchand at the time, was due to the sudden death of Education Specialist Olato Sam, who was spearheading the initiative. Since then, little has been made public about the status of the policy — or whether it was ever implemented.
Whether there is any system in place to measure the outcomes or effectiveness of such a policy remains unknown. This lack of transparency has drawn criticism, with many arguing that it is characteristic of the government’s reactionary approach to school violence — offering statements after incidents occur, but failing to create proactive structures for prevention and accountability.
Meanwhile, the Ministry’s recent call for students, parents, and teachers to report acts of violence — while important — does little to reassure the public in the absence of concrete support systems or protective measures on the ground.
As the Ministry once again asserts that “bullying has no place in our education system” and urges collective action to ensure safe learning environments, education advocates are calling for more than rhetoric. The question remains — how many more incidents will it take before the system shifts from reaction to genuine reform?
Until that happens, the nation’s students — especially the most vulnerable — remain at risk.
