Education Ministry condemns attack on school children

The Ministry of Education has condemned the attack of four school children who were injured after the school bus they were in was stoned by protesters on Friday in Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice.

The Education Ministry in a statement Saturday said the children were treated and released from the hospital.

“The Ministry of Education in a statement said while it recognises the right to peaceful protests, the stoning of a school bus packed with children is unacceptable and condemns this act in the strongest possible way.

“Our children should not be subjected to this sort of behaviour. The Ministry of Education calls on citizens to refrain from such behaviour, exercise good judgement and ensure that no harm is meted out to the nation’s future leaders,” the statement said.

The four students received cuts and bruises about their bodies and were taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital.

Violent protest action broke out in a number of villages on the West Coast and East Corentye Berbice. Residents protested their displeasure with the way in which the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has been handling the results of the March 2 polls.

The protest action also resulted in the attack of Police Officers and the death of 18-year-old, Seedat Hansraj who was shot and killed by a member of the Guyana Police Force after he reportedly chopped and attacked lawmen.