IN response to the rising incidents of school-related violence, Regional Police Division 4B has intensified its collaboration with the Ministry of Education to promote safer learning environments for students.

On September 9, 2025, Commander of Regional Police Division 4B, Superintendent Wayne De Hearte, hosted a high-level meeting with officials from the Ministry of Education’s Schools’ Welfare Department at the Divisional Headquarters.

The Ministry was represented by Senior Schools Welfare Officer, Ms. Rafena Zaman; Regional Welfare Officer for Region Four, Ms. Yolanda James and Senior Guidance Counsellor, Mr. Akash Persaud. Also, present were Woman Inspector Hall, the Division’s Welfare Officer, and Woman Sergeant Amsterdam, the Community Relations Officer.
The discussions centred on developing a joint strategy to confront violence in high-risk schools, with emphasis on prevention, early intervention, and enhancing support systems for vulnerable students. Both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach aimed at promoting positive youth development.
Superintendent De Hearte stressed the importance of shared responsibility in protecting students:

“Our children’s safety is a shared responsibility. By strengthening collaboration between the Police Force, educators, and welfare officers, we can address challenges before they escalate and build safer, more supportive spaces for our young people.”

The meeting concluded with an agreement to launch a pilot programme featuring school outreach initiatives, conflict resolution workshops, and community engagement forums. These initiatives are expected to not only reduce incidents of violence but also strengthen relationships among students, teachers, parents, and the police.
This collaboration forms part of the Guyana Police Force’s broader community partnership policing strategy, which places education and youth empowerment at the forefront of building safer, more resilient communities.