The man who triggered concerns in the Marian Academy compound on November 1st when he offered sweets to children was arrested by the police on November 7th and explained that he was a cotton candy seller and had been trying to make sales.
A subsequent visit by the police to his premises did find evidence of cotton candy and machines to make it.
According to a release from the police on November 8th, the man told investigators that he is a known cotton candy vendor who operates mostly on the East Bank and West Bank of Demerara, but would randomly go to Georgetown to sell candy at schools.
According to the man, on November 1st, 2024, he went to Mariam Academy to sell cotton candy sometime in the afternoon after school. He drove into the drive-through of the school compound, and he asked the children who were in the waiting area to be picked up by their guardians if they wanted cotton candy to buy as he was passing through.
According to the police, he said that he could not have stopped and exited the car because the school had rules that vendors are not permitted in the in the compound. He related that he asked several children in the area if they wanted candy to buy, but none of them purchased any.
At the time, he was in the company of his girlfriend who was seated in the front passenger seat and the cotton candy was in the back seat. He related that the back windows and left passenger window were all down. The man said he did not make any sales at Marian Academy, so he left and went to Apex Academy, where he made a few sales and then went to the Kingston seawall area, where he handed over the remaining cotton candy to his sister who is a vendor. He then went home. The man was later released from custody. The presence of the man in the compound had raised concerns.
Following the November 1st incident, Marian Academy’s principal, Sr. Shelly Jhetoo issued a guidance to parents and guardians. She said that she contacted the Alberttown Police Station and was advised that the students’ parents would need to file a formal report. The following day, the father of one of the boys accompanied his son to the Alberttown Police Station to provide a statement. Constable Ferguson, who took the report, assured the family that the Guyana Revenue Authority would be contacted to trace the car’s owner, and an update would be provided soon.
In light of the incident, Principal Jhetoo emphasized the importance of safety measures at the school, including supervision for students half an hour before and after school hours. She also appealed to parents to have ongoing discussions with their children about the dangers of interacting with strangers, urging them to be cautious of anyone offering treats or asking them to get into vehicles. The principal also addressed concerns about misinformation circulating in the community, urging parents to confirm any information with the school before sharing it on social media or chat groups. She reassured parents that the school’s security system, including surveillance cameras and security guards, is in place to protect the students at all times. Parents have been reminded that students should only leave the school compound with designated individuals, and any emergency pickups must be done through the main office with a gate pass for the security guard.
The Ministry of Education also issued a circular on November 7th to regional education officers and others on best practices.
The circular was issued by the Assistant Chief Education Officer – School Support Services. It reminded teachers, students and parents of the importance of staying vigilant and for students to make safe decisions when interacting with others, particularly outside of school.
For students, the circular admonished that they should never go anywhere with a stranger, they should trust their instincts, know their routes, wherever possible travel with friends or classmates and always inform a trusted adult if strangers try to approach them.
The circular urged parents to discuss this important issue with their children and to emphasize the importance of being cautious and aware of their surroundings. Parents were also urged to ensure that their children know how to contact them or another trusted individual in the event of an emergency.
Teachers were called upon to reinforce safety measures as part of classroom discussions and daily interactions with students.
