Education Ministry to spend $100m on school security each year

Education Minister Ruel Reid says the ministry is to spend $100 million annually to improve safety at schools, beginning next year.

Reid says additional will be given to institutions that have inadequate security arrangements.

He explains that the undertaking will include the installation of perimeter fencing, LED lighting and electronic surveillance equipment.

The education minister further says persons trained as security officers under the Government’s  Housing, Opportunity, Production and Employment (HOPE) programme, would be utilised, where necessary, to augment these provisions.

Reid emphasises that school safety and security is a high priority for the Government.

He was speaking a consultative meeting of primary school principals and Board chairpersons in Manchester on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Reid reminded principals of their responsibility, under the Child Care and Protection Act, to report acts of violence and abuse committed against children to the authorities.

He also stressed that the use of corporal punishment to discipline children was banned in Jamaica under an international convention signed by the Government.