Safe Schools representatives (L-R) Rolston Nickeo and Chevaughn Burton
School safety has been a topic that in recent times has been making the rounds.
The Ministry of Education is continuing to ensure that the safety of schools is a top priority.
Fifteen safe school personnel will be appointed to various schools across the island to enforce those safety protocols.
“The budget calls for 15. So, we put out an advertisement a few months ago,and we have gone to the interviews aright now, the Permanent Secretary is getting ONDCP to basically do a background check into the individual before they are called to let them know that they would have been successful.
“So, those 15 individuals would be deployed across schools within Antigua and Barbuda to help with school safety. You know, at times, especially during lunchtime, break time, teachers or, well, I shouldn’t say teachers, educational workers, you know, they’re not always on the field, they may be eating lunch, and children are there unsupervised and so, these individuals will help us to supervise the students during those kind of times and help to be on the safe school committee,” the Ministry’s Safe School point person Rolston Nickeo shared.
These 15 persons will go through training and then be appointed.
“We are hoping by October”, Nickeo added.
Safe School Assistant Chevaughn Burton added that the committee continues to meet to map out their plans and are hitting the ground running.
The committee comprises of persons from NODS, the Ministry of Health, CBH and Disabilities Association.
“We’re also looking to participate in the early childhood month that is coming up, where we’re looking to see the reincarnation of our Safe Schools mascots. So, we plan to have that out there, you know, interacting with the children, getting even the little ones to see the importance of school safety and know what to do within the school settings. So, we will be on the road again, hopefully by then, you know, participating in early childhood month as it comes around in some of those activities,” Burton explained.
In many cases, persons only thing about violence in schools when referring to school safety but Nickeo explained that the committee covers a wide range of issues including disaster preparedness.
The Safe school policy started back in 2017 in collaboration with CDEMA, the UNDRR and a few OECS states.
At the time, it focused more on disaster preparedness.
Schools have been conducting drills like fire, earthquake and tsunami to enlighten students and faculty how to react in disasters.
Over the years, it has moved beyond that including various security breaches like an active shooter, fights and even a green friendly section.
Burton is calling on all schools to ensure that they have a designated safe school coordinator, carry out the various drills and tailor plans to suit their demographic.
The committee does conduct workshops and assessments to guide schools on the correct procedures.
For years, parents and teachers have raised concerns about what happens during unsupervised periods lunch breaks, after classes, or when staff are stretched thin. By appointing dedicated safe school personnel, the Ministry is showing that it recognizes safety isn’t just about fences and security cameras, but also about having trained eyes and ears on the ground to look out for the wellbeing of students.
I wish more institutions use to do background checks of that magnitude on people before they hire them.
Anyway good stuff
So one person gonna watch 300+ kids while the teachers go eat?
Fifteen officers across the whole island? It’s a start, but I hope more will be added in the future. Our children deserve the best protection.
Glad they’re doing background checks. The people in charge of our children’s safety must be trustworthy.
Good move. Schools should be a safe space for us to learn and enjoy without worrying about fights and stuff like that
Good move. Schools should be a safe space for us to learn and enjoy without worrying about fights and stuff like that
Good move. Schools should be a safe space for us to learn and enjoy without worrying about fights and stuff like that
Long overdue. Teachers can’t be everywhere at once, so having safe school personnel to help supervise is a big relief.
This is a great initiative! As a parent, I feel better knowing there will be dedicated people looking after the children during lunch and break times. Safety should always come first.
While this is a good move there are some things I would keep in mind. Please do not allow police style uniform since this sends a message to children that they are in prison and affects them on a subconscious level. It is great that background checks are being done but be ever vigilant with male security personnel at every level but especially at the secondary level since some will be tempted to get themselves into negative situations especially with female students. I would have a male – female security personnel partnerships at every school.
With these appointments, should schools also consider installing cameras and other safety tools, or is that going too far? Sounds good on paper, but is this just another job creation scheme? Let’s see if it actually works.
The big test, of course, will be implementation whether these 15 officers will be enough for the number of schools and whether they’ll be properly supported with training and resources. Still, it’s a step in the right direction toward creating an environment where children can feel safe, and parents can have more peace of mind.
Those two blokes featured in this article are vociferous, card-carrying members of the ABWU/UPP movements. Both owe their unmerited ascendancy in the teaching profession to blatant favoritism and partisanship during the UPP’s reign of terror and destruction 2004 – 2014. Expect, therefore, nothing more than pure rubbish and cofusiom leading up to the next General Election!!! For God’s sake, who is watching the Sty???