Hazel leads ‘walk Against Crime’

The march which was led by Education Minister Hazel Manning began at 9.20 am, with thousands of children sporting green and white jerseys and bearing placards with statements like, “Put Down the Guns” and “Stop the Violence.”

The students walked from the paddock area at the QPS, right around the savannah and gathered at 11 am, back at the paddock area where they were entertained by reigning Soca Monarch Shurwayne Winchester and singer Lil Bits. Manning did not return for the formal segment of the morning because of other pressing matters at Cabinet and in her absence, was represented by School Supervisor (III) for Port-of-Spain and Environs, Anthony Dalrimple.

Dalrimple said the importance of the march was to highlight the state of crime in the country and he noted that some secondary schools also took part in the march.

Dalrimple said schools must be part of the fight against crime, as young people are the ones who will lead the change in reducing crime.

Representative from the Ministry of Education Kelvin Nancoo, said he hoped next year’s march will be different and something of which the children can all be proud. Nancoo said 75 essays on the “Walk Against Crime” were written by school children and submitted to the Ministry of Education. These essays he said, will be corrected and published by next week.