The police, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, carried out a search and lecture exercise at schools on the East Coast of Demerara on Thursday during which a toy gun, knives and scissors among other items were seized from students.
The exercise is aimed at reducing violence in schools, a statement from Regional Police Division 4 ‘C’ noted. 
The searches and lectures were conducted at Lancaster Secondary, Bladen Hall Multilateral Secondary, Buxton Practical Instructional Center, Annandale Secondary, Buxton Secondary, Plaisance Secondary, Beterverwagting Secondary, La Bonne Intention Secondary, Ann’s Grove Secondary, St. Cuthbert’s Mission Secondary, Hope Secondary, Golden Grove Secondary, and President’s College.
Teachers and the school welfare officers also participated in the exercise.
Among the topics discussed were violence and crime committed at schools, gang fighting, being respectful to teachers and liming on the streets after school.
“Students’ bags were searched in the presence of the Head Master/Mistress and Welfare Officers, where several scissors, screwdrivers, toy gun, and knives were found,” the statement noted.
Minister of Education Priya Manickchand recently noted that there has been an increase in violence in schools and made it clear that this will not be tolerated.
Two schoolgirls of the Skeldon Line Path Secondary School in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) were suspended on Tuesday after they were involved in a fight that was caught on video.
The incident occurred on Monday after school was dismissed and one of the girls was armed with a knife.
