Dear Editor

WITH reference to an article published in your Thursday, March 15, 2018 edition, captioned “Two NOC students recaptured, eight still at large” the Ministry of Social Protection would like to inform that all ten (10) students who absconded from the New Opportunity Corps on Thursday, March 8, 2018, were re-captured on Monday, March 12, 2018.
The Ministry of Social Protection has taken steps to rectify and strengthen the institution’s systems to eliminate such occurrences; the Ministry’s aims positively impact on the lives of children in conflict with the law and is cognizant that continuing reforms and improvements in this area of juvenile justice is extremely important to improve the situation of children in conflict with the law.

The Ministry of Social Protection wishes to thank the Guyana Police Force and the citizens of the Essequibo Coast for their assistance in the apprehending and returning [of]the youths to the New Opportunity Corps.

Regards
Public Relations Department
Ministry of Social Protection