‘No child should feel unsafe going to school’

–Education Ministry launches investigations into recent school bullying reports The Ministry of Education has launched investigations into reports of bullying and violence at schools over the past week, including incidents in which children were injured, Education Minister Sonia Parag says.

Parag on Sunday said every report brought to the ministry’s attention whether formally or through social mediawould be investigated. She said inquiries had already begun into all the incidents reported during the previous week.

“No child should feel unsafe going to school,” Parag said, warning that fear and injury could prevent children from learning.

The minister called for closer supervision of pupils in classrooms, during recess and lunch, and after school while they wait to be collected. She also urged parents to speak with their children about kindness, respectful behaviour and how to report bullying, and asked teachers to treat complaints of bullying or injury seriously and fairly. “Every single report that reaches the Ministry of Education, whether it’s a formal report or whether it’s an informal report through social media, etc. whenever it’s brought to my attention, I immediately launch an investigation into every one of those reports, she said stressing “…and I give it the seriousness that it deserves because I do believe that any incident regarding bullying and violence should be given the attention that it deserves, and to be treated with the seriousness that it deserves.”

Parag said the ministry would work with schools, head teachers and parent-teacher associations to strengthen its response. Recommendations gathered through consultations across Guyana’s 10 administrative regions would inform proposed school policies and standard operating procedures, with further public consultation possible.

She also pointed to the introduction of moral and civic education from nursery to Grade Nine, intended to foster values including kindness, compassion, courtesy and respect. The government back in 2025 had launched its national anti-bullying campaign, Parag on Sunday noted that policies will be amended as the ministry continues engaging stakeholders to address bullying and other challenges.

Separately, Parag voiced support for the President’s announced restrictions on vaping, saying vaping could harm health and negatively affect young people’s development.