A committee has been set up to investigate several discipline issues at the Wisburg Secondary School at Linden following an article in this newspaper and a report from the acting education officer in Region Ten.

On February 11, Stabroek News had reported that two student gangs at the school were engaging in acts of violence, which were causing teachers and parents considerable anxiety. Apart from this, there were reports of students being caught kissing behind the school building.

Parents and teachers felt the Department of Education had been dilatory and ineffective in dealing with issues at the school, especially violent behaviour.

There was also said to be rifts among the staff, and work was often times left uncompleted. In addition, a number of teachers had been on extended periods of leave, while it was alleged that others did not attend classes.

Approximately 700 children, who did not gain places in secondary schools, are enrolled in the Wisburg school.

In an exclusive interview with this newspaper, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Henry Rodney said he learned about the situation at the school from reading the article in this newspaper. He said he immediately, in collaboration with Regional Chairman Mortimer Mingo, summoned a meeting of several stakeholders. This saw the setting up an investigative committee that is currently looking into the matters at the school.

“The Education Depart-ment gave the impression that they only knew about it from the papers