PM orders audit of safety and security risks in schools

By Nakinskie Robinson    

 

A safety and security audit has been ordered by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, to reassess the dangers and risks present in schools across the island.

 

The move comes in the wake of a series of serious and fatal incidents involving students.

 

The review will be conducted by the Ministry of National Security and Ministry of Education.

 

Prime Minister Holness said the review is necessary as it will give "a better understanding of which schools are at risk and how to direct resources to those schools".

 

He said the government has already begun to increase the number of case managers available for community and school interventions, and is working on other measures. 

 

"We're going to increase the number of school resource officers - and the school resource officer programme has been very effective. But immediately, we have discussed with the Ministry of National Security and the Ministry of Education that all schools must review their entry policy. They must review their search policy. And in particular, they must now seek to put in place measures to detect and seize weapons in schools," he announced.   

 

Mr. Holness was speaking Wednesday during a meeting with the Custos of Manchester, Garfield Green.  

 

The Prime Minister said school violence is of grave concern to the government, adding that the matter has worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic.