Administrators want improved security in schools
Published:Thursday | April 14, 2022 | 12:10 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
School administrators in western Jamaica are calling for security to be beefed up in light of an attack on a security guard by a parent at a St James-based institution earlier this week.
On Monday, a 54-year-old security guard at Corinaldi Avenue Primary in Montego Bay was beaten by a student’s stepfather at about 4:15 p.m. after he reportedly asked the man to wait outside the gates for his child as dictated by the school’s policy. The man reportedly forced his way in and physically attacked the guard, who had to be hospitalised after falling unconscious.
Noting that “security is really a problem for all our schools”, Camille Davis-Williams, principal of the St Paul’s Preparatory School in Westmoreland, called for more to be done to safeguard her institution.
“My school compound is not perimeter-fenced, and our school area can be described as being threatened by violence. Security is indeed an issue, and that is the reason why we push and ask for fencing so we can control some of the stuff that happens on the compound,” Davis-Williams said yesterday.
Asked whether self-defence training should be considered for teachers, she expressed doubt that the Ministry of Education would provide it.
“They would probably laugh us out of Babylon with that story,” she told The Gleaner.
Yvonne Miller-Wisdom, headmistress at the St James-based John Rollins Success Primary School, said that while her teachers could look into getting self-defence training on an individual basis, she sees no need to make it mandatory.
“We have had verbal attacks here, but not physical attacks, so I do not think I would be a part of that, and I am not sure which of my teachers would be interested,” she said, noting that the school has employed measures to limit who has access to the compound.
Sudbury Primary and Infant Principal Susan Davis called for more security personnel for schools.
“Security guards need to be in all schools – not just watchmen, but actual security guards – and I would not say we need teachers learning self-defence as we will be at school and properly secured unless the parent decides to take [the conflict] on the outside,” said Davis, whose school is also in St James.
“What needs to be done is that our Ministry of Education needs to invest a little bit more in our schools, and I think the education system needs reformation. Parents should know all the rules and regulations for the schools and should abide by the regulations,” she added.
The Gleaner was unable to get a comment from Jamaica Teachers’ Association President Winston Smith.
Yesterday, Education Minister condemned Monday’s attack and appealed to parents to seek dialogue if there are concerns over school policy.
“This shameful and outrageous behaviour in front of students, parents, and staff is totally unacceptable and a very poor example to the children,” she said.