A deeply troubling incident of school bullying has stirred public outrage and led to swift action from the Ministry of Education, after a disturbing video circulated on social media showing a young girl being assaulted by her peers.
The Hon. Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, personally intervened after being contacted by a concerned family member of the affected student. In response, Minister Manickchand visited the child at her home in Victoria Village, offering words of comfort, support, and reassurance.
“This afternoon I went to Victoria Village to visit with the student who was the subject of a video showing her assault by other students,” the Minister shared. “It is very worrying that other young people thought it was acceptable to be this unkind to this child, to video said unkindness, and to circulate that.”
Minister Manickchand reaffirmed the Ministry’s firm stance on bullying, making it clear that such behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in Guyana’s schools. “We are taking this matter seriously,” she told the family, “and I will personally follow through to ensure that the safety and well-being of this child and every student is protected.”
The Education Minister told the affected student that “People who bully you are the problem—you are special.” She praised the family’s visible love and fierce advocacy for their child, noting that their outrage was a testament to how deeply she is loved.
She also sent a strong message to all parents and guardians: “Speak to your children about their behaviour and their use of their devices and social media. Explain to them that this behaviour is not acceptable and will not be tolerated by the Ministry of Education.”
Minister Manickchand is also reminding the public that children with special needs are no longer seen or treated as a hindrance in Guyana’s education system. Instead, they are valued, protected, and given every opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
