Corentyne accident victim Jodea Seline laid to rest

…Ministers Parag, Singh attend funeral

On Saturday, family, friends, classmates, and the wider community of East Berbice-Corentyne gathered to lay to rest 16-year-old Jodea Seline, a student of Central Corentyne Secondary School whose life was tragically cut short in a minibus accident in November.
The funeral was attended by the Minister of Education, Sonia Parag, and the Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, who joined the mourners in paying their respects.
The service was a solemn and emotional occasion. Jodea’s pink casket rested at the centre. Surrounding her were flowers and mementos from family, friends, and classmates. Along the tents at the funeral site, placards displayed her photographs and carried messages urging motorists to slow down; a heartfelt plea sparked by the circumstances of her death.

Jodea died on November 22 after the minibus she was travelling in toppled at Number 63 Village while returning from the Inter-Secondary School Athletics Championships in Corriverton. The accident also claimed the life of her teacher and the minibus driver, Jerome Bernard, who passed away shortly after her at Georgetown Public Hospital. Several other students and teachers were injured in the crash, some remaining in critical condition.
The funeral brought together the local education community and neighbouring schools, all sharing in the grief and honouring Jodea’s promise and potential.
The Ministry of Education extended condolences to Jodea’s family, friends, and school community, reaffirming support for those affected by the accident. Today’s service stood as a reminder of the fragility of life and the urgent need for caution on the roads, particularly for students and teachers travelling to and from school events.