The Ministry of Education in Guyana has concluded a nationwide engagement campaign, collecting over 1,000 formal recommendations aimed at developing a new Anti-Bullying and Anti-Violence Policy for schools. The final public forum took place on June 9, 2026, at the Mahaicony Technical and Vocational Training Centre in Region 5 (Mahaica-Berbice).
Key ideas submitted during the campaign include:
- Establishment of school-based anti-bullying clubs
- Nurturing of peer advocates
- Expansion of student counseling services
- Implementation of stricter, standardized disciplinary measures
During the session in Region 5, parents highlighted the importance of community-led after-school programs that promote sportsmanship and camaraderie as a proactive approach to counteract bullying behaviors. Minister of Education Sonia Parag assured participants that all recommendations from the ten administrative regions will be compiled and assessed by a multi-agency task force, which will include representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.
The most impactful suggestions will be incorporated into a unified policy that establishes clear consequences for violent actions by students or educators. Minister Parag emphasized the democratic nature of the feedback process, stating, “What has happened between that time and now is that we have had consultations in all of the 10 administrative regions.”
The upcoming regulatory framework will address both traditional bullying and modern digital harassment, as Minister Parag expressed concerns about the adaptation of toxic behaviors in the digital age. She noted that children are vulnerable to negative online influences without proper parental oversight.
To support the policy’s implementation, the Ministry of Education plans to initiate specialized training for school guidance counselors starting in September. Additionally, efforts are being made to enhance physical supervision in school corridors and ensure timely reporting of behavioral infractions to the Ministry.
Minister Parag also mentioned the integration of specialized social interventions, including the newly introduced presidential Prison Avoidance Programme, aimed at guiding at-risk youth towards becoming constructive members of society. She emphasized that addressing school violence requires collective effort, urging families to reflect on their behavior modeling at home.
Following the interactive segment in Region 5, Minister Parag indicated that once the policy is implemented, the Ministry will advocate for national legislation to codify these school safety standards into law.
Source: hgptv.com
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