Beckles: Social factors causing school violence

Opposition Leader and Arima MP Pennelope Beckles has voiced concern over the violence affecting Arima North Secondary School and other schools throughout the country. She spoke to reporters at the Arima Public Library (Nalis) after taking part in an International Literacy Day 2025 event with primary school students.

Beckles said the school’s situation must be addressed holistically. She recalled at least four footballers linked to the institution lost their lives to violence over the past year.

The most recent case was on July 31, 2025, when 17-year-old Kimani Dyer was shot dead in Arima. On May 15, Zwade Alleyne died after being struck by a stray bullet in Maloney. On April 15, Ezekiel Ramdialsingh, another promising footballer, was also killed. They followed the death of Adrian Ramkissoon in November 2024.