Minister of Education Sonia Parag has pledged to support the teachers and classmates of six-year-old Orlando Jaikarran, while calling on communities throughout Guyana to play a greater role in safeguarding children.
Parag made the commitment on Thursday night at a candlelight vigil held at the Bath Community Centre Ground in Region Five, where family members, friends, residents and other mourners gathered to honour Orlando, whose death has plunged the community and the wider country into grief.
The minister, who also represents the People’s Progressive Party/Civic in Region Five, said the large turnout demonstrated the profound impact of the tragedy, which has brought together people from several communities to mourn alongside Orlando’s family and schoolmates.
Recalling the days when the child was reported missing, Parag said she received a telephone call on Saturday while search efforts were underway. She explained that she had hoped the call would bring encouraging news, but was subsequently faced with the heartbreaking reality that no one had wanted to hear.
She extended her sympathy to Orlando’s teacher, Miss O’Neill, as well as the other teachers and pupils at Bath Primary School. Parag noted that although the six-year-old had only recently started Grade One, he had already formed a close relationship with his teacher.
The minister promised to visit the school personally to ensure that both teachers and pupils receive the necessary support as they struggle to come to terms with the loss.
She reflected on the painful reality that Orlando’s classmates and teacher could not have known that their last day seeing and playing with him would be followed by such a devastating outcome.
According to Parag, the circumstances surrounding the child’s death have deeply affected parents, children and residents, prompting many to consider the safety and protection of their own children.
She urged communities to revive the spirit of collective responsibility, stressing that every child should be treated as part of an extended family, irrespective of biological relationships.
“Every single child deserves to know that they are loved when they are brought into this world. Every single child should experience love,” she said.
Parag emphasised that society must not remain silent when children are harmed by individuals who are expected to care for and protect them. Instead, she said, everyone has a responsibility to speak up, intervene and help ensure that children are safe.
She encouraged families and communities to view the tragedy as a call for meaningful action, urging them to pay closer attention to children, provide emotional support and protect them from circumstances that could threaten their lives.
The minister acknowledged that while schools and government ministries have important roles to play, their efforts alone are insufficient without the active involvement of parents, teachers, neighbours and other members of society.
She warned that the traditional concept of a village sharing responsibility for raising children was gradually disappearing, and called for communities to restore that sense of unity and accountability.
Parag also encouraged parents and caregivers to build stronger bonds with their children by spending quality time with them, showing affection and consistently reassuring them that they are loved and protected.
In reflecting on Orlando’s life, she noted that the child attended Sunday school, where he would have been exposed to positive values. She stressed that every child, regardless of their family background or circumstances, deserves compassion, care and consideration.
The education minister further called for the legal proceedings surrounding Orlando’s death to be allowed to run their full course, insisting that the child did not deserve the fate he suffered.
“The law has to take its course. Every ounce of what the law should do, it should do in this case,” Parag said.
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She reiterated her commitment to supporting Orlando’s classmates and teachers, recognising that they have been emotionally affected by his death and will require assistance as they work through their grief.
Parag also urged the public to continue keeping Orlando’s family in their thoughts and prayers long after the vigil, while extending condolences to all those mourning the young boy.
The minister joined government officials, relatives, friends and residents in paying tribute to Orlando, as calls for justice and stronger measures to protect children continue following the tragic incident.
Neermala:
Parag pledges support for Orlando’s classmates and teachers, urges communities to protect children
Minister of Education Sonia Parag has pledged to support the teachers and classmates of six-year-old Orlando Jaikarran, while calling on communities throughout Guyana to play a greater role in safeguarding children.
Parag made the commitment on Thursday night at a candlelight vigil held at the Bath Community Centre Ground in Region Five, where family members, friends, residents and other mourners gathered to honour Orlando, whose death has plunged the community and the wider country into grief.
The minister, who also represents the People’s Progressive Party/Civic in Region Five, said the large turnout demonstrated the profound impact of the tragedy, which has brought together people from several communities to mourn alongside Orlando’s family and schoolmates.
Recalling the days when the child was reported missing, Parag said she received a telephone call on Saturday while search efforts were underway. She explained that she had hoped the call would bring encouraging news, but was subsequently faced with the heartbreaking reality that no one had wanted to hear.
She extended her sympathy to Orlando’s teacher, Miss O’Neill, as well as the other teachers and pupils at Bath Primary School. Parag noted that although the six-year-old had only recently started Grade One, he had already formed a close relationship with his teacher.
The minister promised to visit the school personally to ensure that both teachers and pupils receive the necessary support as they struggle to come to terms with the loss.
She reflected on the painful reality that Orlando’s classmates and teacher could not have known that their last day seeing and playing with him would be followed by such a devastating outcome.
According to Parag, the circumstances surrounding the child’s death have deeply affected parents, children and residents, prompting many to consider the safety and protection of their own children.
She urged communities to revive the spirit of collective responsibility, stressing that every child should be treated as part of an extended family, irrespective of biological relationships.
“Every single child deserves to know that they are loved when they are brought into this world. Every single child should experience love,” she said.
Parag emphasised that society must not remain silent when children are harmed by individuals who are expected to care for and protect them. Instead, she said, everyone has a responsibility to speak up, intervene and help ensure that children are safe.
She encouraged families and communities to view the tragedy as a call for meaningful action, urging them to pay closer attention to children, provide emotional support and protect them from circumstances that could threaten their lives.
The minister acknowledged that while schools and government ministries have important roles to play, their efforts alone are insufficient without the active involvement of parents, teachers, neighbours and other members of society.
She warned that the traditional concept of a village sharing responsibility for raising children was gradually disappearing, and called for communities to restore that sense of unity and accountability.
Parag also encouraged parents and caregivers to build stronger bonds with their children by spending quality time with them, showing affection and consistently reassuring them that they are loved and protected.
In reflecting on Orlando’s life, she noted that the child attended Sunday school, where he would have been exposed to positive values. She stressed that every child, regardless of their family background or circumstances, deserves compassion, care and consideration.
The education minister further called for the legal proceedings surrounding Orlando’s death to be allowed to run their full course, insisting that the child did not deserve the fate he suffered.
“The law has to take its course. Every ounce of what the law should do, it should do in this case,” Parag said.
She reiterated her commitment to supporting Orlando’s classmates and teachers, recognising that they have been emotionally affected by his death and will require assistance as they work through their grief.
Parag also urged the public to continue keeping Orlando’s family in their thoughts and prayers long after the vigil, while extending condolences to all those mourning the young boy.
The minister joined government officials, relatives, friends and residents in paying tribute to Orlando, as calls for justice and stronger measures to protect children continue following the tragic incident.
