Extra security and safety officers have been deployed at schools across Anguilla to provide better protection to children and staff throughout this academic year.
The Department of Education announced a series of “enhanced security arrangements” at all public schools in a press release on 2 September, the start of the new term.
“The Department of Education considers the safety and security of Anguilla’s students, teachers, as well as support and ancillary staff to be critical for an effective education process,” it said.
“This requires a multi-layered approach including infrastructure, equipment, personnel and protocols
as well as the participation of all stakeholders including parents, the corporate sector and the wider community.”
Security staff
Twenty-five security officers have been assigned to work in tandem with custodians and truancy officers at Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School.
This is an increase in number from the last academic year, and they will be stationed on every school bus, as well as in the evenings, the press release said.
In primary schools, crossing guard posts have a new title – school safety officers – and their responsibilities will now include safety and some security duties.
The education department has also begun the formal procurement process for security officers to be stationed at primary schools for the first time.
Meanwhile, it has advertised to fill a school safety officer post at the high school’s Campus A. Interviews for this role are expected to occur this week, the press release said.
Training, testing and delays
Child safeguarding refresher training was conducted for teachers, teaching assistants and para professional staff during Training Week from 19 to 23 August.
Meanwhile, the traffic, security pick-up and drop-off, and lunchtime protocols which were tested at the end of last school year have been instituted.
The contract for the fabrication and installation of gates was awarded to a private contractor through the government’s open and competitive procurement process.
The press release said there have been some “initial, unavoidable” delays in materials shipped to the contractor.
However, the department and Ministry of Social Development said they “must register disappointment” with the slow pace toward completion.
Both are “pushing for a greater sense of urgency” from the contractor who had, on 2 September, promised finalisation on 7 September.
Security systems
The education department is currently viewing presentations from several qualified companies on the installation of security equipment, including intercom and alert systems, and cameras.
Procurement documents will be complete in September and will then be followed by the advertisement, bidding and contractor selection process per procurement guidelines, the press release said.
Copies of the term dates for 2024 and 2025, and the security and traffic protocols are available on the Department of Education’s Facebook page.
Further queries may also be directed to the Department of Education via its email education.mailbox@gov.ai, or telephone (264) 497-2874.
