Region 2 Commander engages Charity parents, Teachers on student safety, discipline

…as parents call for tougher action on drugs, student loitering

Regional Divisional Commander No. 2, Senior Superintendent Khemraj Shivbaran, on Monday engaged teachers, parents and members of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) during a meeting at the Charity Secondary School compound.
The session, held between 09:30h and 10:30h, brought together key education and welfare stakeholders, including Headmistress Onika Walcott, School Welfare Officer Tiffany Dorga, Regional Educational Welfare Officer Mona Khan, and PTA President Brian Ally. Approximately 300 parents from the Pomeroon River and Essequibo Coast attended. Commander Shivbaran addressed a wide range of issues affecting students and schools in the region. Among the topics discussed were school attendance, bus-riding practices, alcohol and narcotics use, school dropouts, juvenile delinquency and the responsibilities of parents and guardians.

Other areas highlighted included gang fighting, violence among students, missing children, the importance of youth involvement in Police youth groups, free computer training available at ZARA centres, and Police presence during school hours. The commander also raised concerns about the sale of alcohol to children, student conduct both in school and at home, and incidents of violence against teachers by both students and parents. During the meeting, parents voiced several concerns. These included the need for a crackdown on drug mules, measures to ensure children go straight home after school rather than loitering, and calls for more Police assistance in helping children reach home safely. The Charity Police Station Sergeant received praise for his work in the community. PTA President Ally expressed appreciation for the commander’s direct engagement and said further collaboration between the Police and the PTA would be encouraged.