A Lodge Secondary School student was taken into custody by the police for questioning yesterday morning after an air gun was found in his haversack during a search.
One day after the teachers staged a protest over the operations of gangs at the school, students were subjected to searches upon entering the school compound.
The searches, among the measures adopted to address the security at the institution, were carried out by teachers and the school’s guard, and led to the discovery of the air gun in the Grade 11 student’s bag. An air gun fires projectiles using compressed air or other gases that are mechanically pressurized without utilising chemical reactions.
The Guyana Police Force was called to the school and the parents of the student were also contacted.
The police were also able to apprehend two boys, who were identified to them as gang members who have been perpetrating crimes at the school.
This newspaper was present when three alleged gang members showed up at the school. They were pointed out by teachers who remembered them from attacks that occurred. The security guard didn’t permit them entry after which they attempted to gain entry to the compound via a rear fence but were not successful.
The boys, who were riding bicycles, were apparently not aware that the police were present at time. The ranks later instructed the guard to allow the boys to enter the compound. The three boys then went to the back of the school, where the police ranks went after them and were able to apprehend two of them. They were taken to the East La Penitence Police Station.
Stabroek News was told that significant changes are being made to address the security at the school, in light of the protest on Wednesday.
According to a teacher, who wished not to be named, on Wednesday afternoon contractors were present to give an estimate for the installation of barbed wires around the fence. A welfare officer was also sent to the school on Thursday to speak with parents concerning their children at a PTA meeting.
Teachers told this newspaper that so far they have seen moves being made to address the concerns that they raised on Wednesday morning.
Teachers previously said that they were continually targeted despite making reports about the situation at the school. The teachers, who said they have also been faced with threats from some students whom they said brought knives and other implements to school, decided to protest to highlight the situation at the school in light of recent attacks.
This newspaper was told that gang members tried to rob a teacher in a classroom on Tuesday. The teacher ran to another classroom, where other teachers were present and the gang retreated when the group exited the classroom.
This newspaper was told that students were also targeted in robberies, which are often perpetrated during break and lunch periods.
Guyana Teachers’ Union Regional Vice President (Demerara) Collis Nicholson had said that systems they would put in place to address the situation would include erecting barbed wire around the school fence and having the Guyana Police Force patrolling the area regularly.
