SECURITY AND SAFETY in schools has once again been brought front-of-mind following the latest shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, United States. This was indeed an unfortunate incident, one which we Barbadians would never like to experience here.
In order for teachers to teach and students to learn, they must have that sense of security. Therefore great emphasis must be placed not only on the preparation of school syllabi but also on the security and the safety of children and those working in the school environment.
We do not have a history of extreme violence or behaviour in our schools; however, we do have disgruntled parents or guardians causing a measure of disruption due to some decision or action taken by the teacher or principal.
There have also been incidents where some of our schools have been broken into, staff members’ bags stolen, and aggressive parents abusing children, principals and teachers, but never yet an incident where children have lost their lives.
There are rules and regulations at all schools that protect the school body – children and all parties employed. Parents want to feel that when they release their children to the care of teaching staff, their loved ones are protected.
Schools must be prepared and better equipped to prevent any incident that might endanger the lives of children or staff, ergo the following security recommendations to consider. • Provide security guards at all primary and secondary schools. On entry, visitors must state their business to the security guard who will in turn direct them to the office. People not doing legitimate business should be denied entry. Security guards must take their role and responsibility seriously.
• Establish a substantial, secure boundary and limit access for vehicles and parents entering the compound. This will accommodate parents dropping off or collecting their children. • Use one main entrance in and out of the school. This will limit unsupervised access to other parts of the school.
• Limit access to classrooms. At no time should anyone entering the compound advance to the classroom to see a teacher or pupil without first gaining permission from the principal or his/her designate. Remember to provide proof like a visitor’s pass before allowing a person into the school.
• Ensure that all school fences are intact, gates are in good order and can be locked.
• Provide adequate signage to inform parents and visitors of the rules and their access points.
• Arrange emergency evacuation plans and mock drills. It is imperative that each school adopt and implement an emergency evacuation plan that should be rehearsed at regular intervals. This will eliminate panic in case of an actual emergency.
• Invest in surveillance cameras.
Such measures may be in place in some schools, but let us not bury our heads in the sand and think they are not needed just because no catastrophe has ever happened at our schools. Instead, let us be proactive and put all measures in place to prevent any violence.
Hopefully those responsible for security in our schools have taken note of this incident and continue in their efforts to “beef up” security at our schools now.
• Rhonda A. Blackman is an educator, a National Development Scholar and former President of the Early Childhood Association of Barbados Inc. Email theopenhaversack@gmail.com