A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is concerned about the recent spate in violence involving teachers and students in and out of school. These incidents include the seizure of improvised weapons in classrooms and allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation involving at least one teacher.
During a press conference today, APNU Member of Parliament, Dr. Dexter Todd bemoaned what he described as a sluggish response in dealing with these matters.
He noted that these incidents are a reflection of several factors.
“Topping the list is the incompetence and absent vision of the government. Second, is the trend that some members of the government have been accused of similar acts… and now those acts are becoming culture in our society and sadly finding its way into our schools,” he noted.
The third factor, Dr. Todd cited, is the “state of affairs when one considers how Guyanese Citizens have to live on meagre salaries, high cost of living and the increase in poverty”.
He added that 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…While all of this is happening the nation is left in awe, as there’s no immediate end or solution.”
Dr. Todd called for a strengthened incident reporting system that ensures the students have safety in complaining and seeking justice.
“We must investigate the problems with urgency, and show the students that when they complain, they are heard and the matter is dealt with before it escalates. When matters are reported, ensure that counselling is available for both the accused and victim as required,” he suggested.
He also called for improved security at schools, claiming that in many schools, students enter and leave the premises as they feel.
The APNU Parliamentarian also highlighted the labelling of students in gangs.
“The recent trend of labeling students in schools across Guyana as a “pandemic gang” is not only troubling—it is deeply irresponsible. Such language does nothing to address the challenges within our education system. Instead, it stigmatizes an entire generation of young people who are still recovering from the disruptive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Dr. Todd said that students did not create the circumstances they now face and the Government of Guyana must shift from blame to responsibility.
“It is time to invest in guidance counselling, teacher training, community engagement, and policies that place students at the centre of recovery efforts. Our students are not a ‘pandemic gang’. They are young citizens in need of understanding, structure, and opportunity. Let us treat them as the valuable future.”
