Teenage mothers getting assistance from GPF to complete school

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has intervened to give two teenage mothers from Mahaica-
Berbice (Region Five) the opportunity to complete their secondary education.
This was the disclosure of the Regional Commander Senior Superintendent Kurleigh Simon on a
recent radion programme. He noted that the initiative forms part of the force’s effort to build
relationships with civilians.
The Police Superintendent said that about four teenage pregnancies are reported monthly in the
region. “One recently gave birth, so we are giving her some time. In the break of 2022, we are
going to have her registered and re-enrolled into school and we are going to take care of
whatever school expense she has,” Simon said. He added, “The other one, she is pregnant. So,
we do not want to force the issue too much of going through pregnancy and studying, so we have
her on record to render assistance.”
The Commander said while teenage pregnancy is becoming worrisome, steps are being put in
place to tackle the issue head-on. “I have reached out to the probation welfare officer and we are
in the process of formulating a strategy to counter that, by going to the schools to address the
issue early in the new year,” Superintendent Simon said.
The Commander noted that the region has also formed a number of youth groups even with the
limitations of COVID-19. He said talks are also ongoing to re-establish a scout group in
Mahaicony.
The Superintendent stressed that those are ways to not only keep young people gainfully
occupied, but to also curb criminal activities in the region.