Education Minister Fayval Williams says the need to reduce the number of gangs and to put an end to their recruitment efforts has never been more urgent than now.

She states that some children are involved in gangs in schools, noting that a minimum of three people can form a gang.

The police say there are 277 gangs in the country.

The Education Minister says it is not yet known how many of them are in schools.

She is urging parents to be alert to any change in behaviour of their children.

She adds that the authorities have been concerned about gangs as a social crisis over the years.

November 5-11 is being observed as Anti-Gang Week, under the theme: ‘Gang Nuh Cool…Stay In School’.

The Ministry of Education and Youth, through its Safety and Security in Schools Unit has organized a number of events in schools to mark the week.