Police patrols at schools after attack on Nations Director

The Guyana Police Force will conduct regular patrols at schools and implement other security measures following the Sunday night attack on School of the Nations Director Dr Brian O’Toole, the Department of Public Information (DPI) has reported.

“Added to the menu of measures, the Ministry (of Education) will also be setting up a help hotline to assist children who are struggling with issues at school and elsewhere.

“Moreover, the Schools Welfare Department will be conducting regular outreaches at locations, such as malls, to meet the younger population with the view of addressing social and other issues affecting them,” DPI stated.

According to DPI, Minister of Education Nicolette Henry convened a high-level meeting on Tuesday with the leadership of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), officials from the School of the Nations and senior officers from the Ministry of Education.

During the meeting, officials were briefed on the status of the investigations concerning threats made to the school on a social media platform.

DPI said the Force pointed out that the matter at that school is being treated as a priority and is being investigated by the GPF Major Crimes Unit.

Additionally, the Police gave the assurance that the perpetrator will be brought to justice even as the Force explores new leads and continues to question some students in the presence of their parents.

The Ministry of Education has undertaken to work closely with the school to assist in bringing a speedy resolution to this matter.

The Minister of Education said that the MoE would be expanding and strengthening its Schools Support Unit to address such issues.

“The Education Ministry will also provide training and other support mechanisms to assist parents in navigating the challenges that comes with parenting,” DPI stated.

“The Ministry of Education continues to monitor the situation at School of the Nations and will continue to work with the relevant agencies in bringing an end to this situation.”

The Director was shot sometime after 9pm Sunday night hours after an emergency meeting at the school with parents and teachers following threats from a student.

It is suspected that the threats are from a sixth form student who was expelled last week after he threatened to “shoot up” the school on social media.