-by Kristin Josiah

Government is moving to strengthen oversight and student support systems as concerns grow over rising cases of bullying, gang activity, substance use and cyber bullying within schools across Guyana. Reported cases of misbehavior have been recorded in 353 schools nationwide, with Region Four accounting for 41 per cent of reported incidents.

Speaking at a press conference in Georgetown, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali announced plans for national public consultations on cyberbullying and social media, noting increasing concerns from teachers and parents over the alarming impact of online harassment on students on the wider school environment.

The President also flagged the declining number of male teachers in the system as a contributing challenge, calling for greater support structures for female teachers who make up the majority of the workforce.

Among measures being rolled out are expanded counseling services, a standardized referral system with AI integration, stronger parental and community involvement, policy reforms targeting cyberbullying, increased monitoring in schools, investments in CCTV cameras and scanners at high risk schools, and the expansion of scout programs.

“That is why the AI is important in helping us to address predictable behavior and behavioral patterns so we can be more proactive, have greater parental guidance and community involvement in children life, greater involvement of the church, the mosque, the temples, and reforming our policies,” he said.

The President also flagged the declining number of male teachers in the system as a contributing challenge, calling for greater support structures for female teachers who make up the majority of the workforce.

“One of the other challenges we have is the majority of teachers in the school system are women, so the male falling back out of teaching. So we have to find a mechanism to give our female teachers that support in the system,” he said.