Education Ministry condemns bullying, probes student-on-student attacks at Secondary Schools

The Education Ministry has condemned two recent incidents of bullying that occurred among secondary school students in Regions Two and Four, and has moved to launch investigations into the matter.
The first case involved students from Charity Secondary School and 8th of May Secondary School in Region Two, while the second took place at the New Campbellville Secondary School in Georgetown. Although details surrounding both incidents are still emerging, the Ministry has confirmed that enquiries have already been initiated to establish the facts before deciding on any disciplinary action.
In a statement on Friday, the Ministry stressed that bullying in any form will not be tolerated within the education system, noting that schools must remain safe spaces where learners feel respected and supported.
“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.
Education officials have since dispatched teams to the schools involved to gather information, interview witnesses, and speak with affected students and teachers. The Ministry said the outcome of these investigations will determine the nature of disciplinary measures to be applied.
Parents and guardians have also been urged to remain vigilant and to report any acts of intimidation or violence. “Bullying has no place in our education system. Together, as schools, families, and communities, we must foster environments where every child feels safe, valued, and able to learn,” the Ministry added.
Just last year, the Ministry introduced new guidelines under its Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) curriculum aimed at promoting positive student relationships and conflict resolution. Teachers were also provided with training to identify and intervene in cases of bullying.
However, despite these efforts, student-on-student aggression continues to be reported, with some cases escalating into fights that are filmed and shared on social media. Child rights advocates have warned that these incidents not only impact victims’ mental health and academic performance but also normalise a culture of violence among youth if left unchecked.
The Ministry has signalled that in addition to disciplinary measures, the ongoing probes will also assess whether additional support – such as counselling services, peer mediation, and stronger community engagement – should be introduced at the affected schools.
Meanwhile, the Ministry is appealing for a collaborative effort between educators, parents, and law enforcement where necessary, to stamp out bullying at all levels of the education system.