In a distressing case that highlights systemic failures in the education system, a 14-year-old girl from Calvary Hill, Arima, has been deprived of her right to education for over two years due to severe bullying and bureaucratic inefficiency. The girl, who excelled in her SEA exams in 2023, was forced to withdraw from school after her parents’ repeated pleas for help went unanswered. Despite filing an official police report and seeking assistance from the Ministry of Education, the family encountered a labyrinth of red tape and delays. By January 2025, the girl was enrolled in a private school, where she achieved an impressive 75% average, but her education was cut short when her parents could no longer afford the fees. Now, she remains at home, her dreams of learning fading away. Minister of Education Dr. Michael Dowlath acknowledged the case but cited bureaucratic challenges within the ministry. This incident is not isolated, as former TTUTA president Martin Lum Kin revealed that similar cases have been reported. The government’s inability to address such basic procedural failures raises serious concerns about its commitment to safeguarding children’s education and well-being.