THE image of a table filled with lighters, knives, toy guns, and other prohibited items taken from students at the West Ruimveldt Secondary School should alarm every parent in Guyana. The image reflects our shared failure as guardians.
The concerned parent who attended that meeting and was shocked by what they saw spoke for thousands of mothers and fathers across the country who remain unaware of what their children carry in their bags each morning.
The question raised by that parent, “How do we stop our children from bringing weapons to school or harming their peers?” needs a straightforward answer: it begins at home.
Let’s be clear: the Headmistress of West Ruimveldt Secondary School deserves praise for her decision to showcase those items and engage parents directly.
As Education Minister Sonia Parag pointed out, no search occurred that day; this initiative came from a school leader who knew that being open, not hidden, is the first step towards change. Schools should not bear the whole responsibility for discipline, while parents see the school gate as the limit of their duty. That mindset is dangerously outdated.
Over the past two years, Guyana has seen a worrying rise in violence and bullying in schools. From the viral assault video at Zeeburg Secondary in January to the alarming bullying incidents at Charity and New Campbellville Secondary Schools, the trend is clear.
The government has responded with a stronger anti-bullying campaign, online reporting options, plans for moral and civic education in the curriculum and discussions about new laws.
These are necessary institutional responses, but no policy can replace a parent who checks their child’s bag, who has challenging discussions at the dinner table, and who knows their child’s friends and habits.
The uncomfortable truth is that a lighter or a knife doesn’t just end up in a child’s pocket by chance.
Someone at home is not paying attention. The parent at West Ruimveldt acknowledged that what they observed was a “bigger problem” than simple noisiness or restlessness in class. That honesty is rare, and it’s exactly the kind of wake-up call every household in Guyana needs.
Studies and experience show that children whose parents actively participate in their education are less likely to engage in violent or antisocial behaviour. When that involvement decreases, especially during the secondary school years, the void is filled with peer pressure, bravado, and, sadly, weapons.
The Ministry of Education cannot search every bag and keep an eye on every child. Teachers cannot be parents, counsellors, disciplinarians, and security guards all at the same time.
Schools such as West Ruimveldt are doing their part by welcoming parents in. The least we can do is step forward, aware and committed. The safety of our children is not just the government’s responsibility. It is ours.
