Chief education officer Bren Romney has denounced a series of social media hoaxes, including a bomb threat at Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School.
The most recent hoax message on 7 January claimed that bombs had been discovered at Campus A and parents should take their children out of school.
In a press release from the Department of Education published the same day, Romney said the claim was unfounded.
“Hoaxes such as these are truly malicious. They create a sense of unease and distrust,” he said.
“In addition, hoaxes tie-up our resources – whether staff, time, infrastructure or money – on disproving them.
“We are forced to react to calm and reassure our stakeholders regarding lies and mischief instead of investing our time and effort in pursuing our primary goal, which is the education of students.”
Romney has called on the public to act responsibly in sharing random social media posts and encouraged
people, when in doubt, to go directly to verified accounts.
These include Department of Education and other trusted sources such as the Government of Anguilla, Radio Anguilla, the Royal Anguilla Police Force and the Department of Disaster Management.
“The Department of Education remains committed to the safety and security of its students, teachers
and all staff,” the press release said.
The Department of Education can be contacted at education.mailbox@gov.ai or (264) 497-2874.
