Public consultation on bullying, social media to be held before end of January -Minister Parag

Education Minister Sonia Parag says the Government will move shortly to engage the public on bullying as part of a national consultation expected to be held or at least advertised before the end of January.

She made this disclosure on Friday during her appearance on Starting Point podcast hosted by Kiana Wilburg and Freeza Haniff.

Parag said the decision to go out nationally was discussed within weeks of her assuming office and received immediate support at the highest level.

“I remember having a conversation with His Excellency the second week of becoming Minister of Education, and the first thing we discussed was whether we should go out nationally and do a public consultation. And right away, the President said, ‘Yes, let’s do this. Let’s do this,’” Parag said.

She explained that the scope of the consultation has since been expanded by President Ali to include the use of social media, noting that bullying is no longer confined to school compounds.

“He has added his component now, because he’s taken it not only as bullying in schools, but how do we now look at social media and the use of social media,” the minister said.

According to Parag, a team comprising ministers and other stakeholders is being assembled to lead the process.

“We will go out very shortly before the end of January to hold a public consultation, or at least advertise the date for the public consultation on the use of social media and what measures we can implement that will safeguard our citizens,” she explained.

She said the consultation will examine “what they take in from social media, what they are exposed to, and all of that, and how damaging some content can be, and how people use content to destroy other person’s lives.”

Parag described cyberbullying as a serious extension of the wider bullying problem. She also noted that bullying was one of the most pressing issues brought to her attention when she entered office.

“One of the first things that hit me in my face that was highlighted so many times when I came into office was the issue of bullying,” Parag said, adding that while it is not unique to Guyana, “it’s clear that it disrupts a child’s learning process” and “the experience that they will have at school.”

She stressed that making education a priority goes beyond academic outcomes.

“Us making education a priority is not just to build a skilled workforce. It is to ensure that students can learn in a safe environment,” she said.

Parag said schools must be places where students feel secure enough to learn, build confidence, and develop a strong sense of identity.

“School should be a place where you feel safe enough that you can learn… safe enough that you build confidence… knowing your identity, knowing who you are, being strong in who you are,” she said.

The minister also confirmed that the anti-bullying campaign launched last November will be intensified this year.

“This anti-bullying campaign, we are rolling it out in a more robust manner this year,” Parag said, noting that the initial launch followed strong public demand.

“When we launched it in November, it was a big deal. It was because of the calling from the public. It was parents who were frustrated because they didn’t know where to turn, what to do,” she added.