Minister Parag Visits Families of Crash Victims

Jodea Seline, 16, was described by her mother, Shemmala Castello, as a kind and fun-loving child who loved school and was always content.

The Central Corentyne Secondary School student lost her life in a tragic road accident last Friday. Jodea, along with her 13-year-old sister Jennia Seline, other schoolmates, and teachers, was returning from a school sports event when the accident occurred.

Jerome Bernard, the teacher who was driving at the time, also succumbed to his injuries, while the others, including Jodea’s sister Jennia, remain hospitalized. Jennia is currently unaware that her sister has passed.

Hon. Sonia Parag, Minister of Education who was on official travel duties at the time of the accident, spent the entire day in Region Six visiting the hospitalized children and their teacher, as well as the devastated families of Jodea and Sir Bernard.

Minister Parag, in expressing her sincerest condolences, assured the grieving families that they have the full support of the Ministry of Education and, by extension, the Government.

The Minister was joined on her visit by Regional Executive Officer (Region Six), Narendra Persaud; Deputy Chief Education Officer (Admin), Ms. Tiffany Harvey; Assistant Chief Education Officer (Secondary), Mr. Sherwyn Blackman; and Head of the Allied Arts Unit, Mr. Nicholas Fraser.

The Ministry stands with the mourning families and we pray for the full recovery of all those who have been injured.