Security boosted at Eltham High after attackers breach compound
Published:Wednesday | February 19, 2020 | 12:41 AMRasbert Turner/Gleaner Writer
Security has been boosted at Eltham High School in St Catherine after armed men stormed the compound on Monday.
The breach was triggered by a dispute between two students, one of whom left the property and returned with other attackers.
Additional guards were posted at the Spanish Town school and four hand-held metal detectors provided to ease security concerns on Tuesday.
Principal Barrington Mighton said that the aim was to make staff, students and visitors feel safer.
“We have put things behind us and have increased the security aspect with five additional security personnel this morning. We can have them fully patrol the compound,” Mighton told The Gleaner.
“We are trying to put things in train that will make the school continue to rebound. We have our school to strengthen in discipline. Therefore, all hands are working in partnership to allow the school to get to its full potential,” he added.
Chief security coordinator in the Ministry of Education, Courtney Berry, said that he was optimistic that the additional security would help “make discipline the hallmark of this school”.
That sentiment was also affirmed by Councillor George Moodie, who said he was hopeful that the atmosphere at the school returned to normality.
Meanwhile, the school is still basking in the joy of placing third in the latest edition of the Television Jamaica choral competition, ‘All Together Sing’.
“We will be working to entrench a spirit of excellence in the school. It is something that takes patience and discipline to achieve,” Mighton said.
The two-shift school has a population of 1,760 students with 100 teachers and 25 casual workers.