Viral video of student assaulted: Safe schools are non-negotiable; gangs will be dismantled – Education Minister vows 

Education Minister Sonia Parag was on the ground at the Zeeburg Secondary School, West Coast of Demerara, on Thursday, where she engaged both teachers and students on the serious issue of violence and bullying in schools.
The visit followed the circulation of a video on social media showing a student of the school being bullied and physically assaulted outside of the school’s compound on January 21. The incident raised widespread concern and engaged the attention of all relevant stakeholders, including the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Addressing the students directly, the Minister challenged them on the grounds of discipline, respect and personal responsibility. She made it clear that under her tenure, there will be a zero tolerance for gang-like activities or organised groups that threaten the safety of schools.
“There is no way under my tenure that I am going to tolerate any group of persons calling themselves a gang, any group of persons infiltrating a school to create what is called a gang or a clique or a group; I will work with every single authority to dismantle it,” Minister Parag stated.
The Education Minister emphasised that safety is essential for the development of students and the effective teaching and nurturing of teachers.
She added, “You cannot develop unless you are in a safe environment. The teachers can’t do what they have to do unless they are in a safe environment.”
Parag was accompanied by the Public Utilities and Aviation Minister, Deodat Indar, and the Minister Within the Ministry of Agriculture, Vickash Ramkissoon, highlighting the seriousness with which the government treats the matter.
The Ministry of Education assured the public that they will continue to closely work with the school authorities, parents and law enforcement to address bullying and violence within schools in order to have schools become and remain a safe environment for learning.

3 arrested
Meanwhile, the GPF, on Thursday, said that they are investigating an assault involving a 16-year-old male student which occurred on Wednesday at De Willem, West Coast Demerara.
Enquiries revealed that earlier that day the victim was assaulted by several male individuals who dealt him several slaps to the face and several lashes about his body with a cutlass and a rope.
Investigations led to the arrest of three persons in connection with the matter. The suspects include two juveniles, both males aged 16 and 15 years respectively and a 19-year-old male, all of Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara, who are presently in police custody assisting with the investigation.

Bullying in schools
Only last week, the Education Ministry announced that it will be launching a mobile app to address social issues such as bullying in schools.
This was disclosed by Education Minister Sonia Parag during an episode of the Starting Point podcast.
“We have an actual app that we created that we are going to formally launch, but it’s there already,” the Minister said, noting that reports made are being managed by a Health and Family Life Unit within the Ministry of Education.
“These officers will take that report. They have to investigate the matter. The welfare officer and the guidance counsellors are all involved. The parents, the child who is the victim, and the alleged aggressor are involved. And so, at the end of that investigation, depending on what the investigation reveals, then we make a determination on what to do on a case-by-case basis,” Parag had explained.
She said the ultimate goal is not only to ensure a safe environment for the victim but also to implement measures designed to reform the bully.
The Education Ministry in November 2025 officially launched an anti-bullying campaign. The move followed several reported incidents of bullying and fighting in schools across the country.