KINGSTON, Jamaica, Friday May 6, 2016 – There will be 1,000 safety and security officers in Jamaica’s public schools come September, as authorities try to deal with indiscipline in the island’s learning institutions. “Safety and security in schools is part of the strategic priorities of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information. The programme is constantly under review and we are going to see some results in the coming years,” said Director for Safety and Security in Schools, in the Ministry, Assistant Superintendent Coleridge Minto.
In addition to those officers, other initiatives are being implemented. Minto said the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) launched a mentorship club in 40 schools last year, in order to provide role models for males and females. “There are 450 volunteer pastors and police chaplains that are strategically placed across the island, who are willing to provide spiritual guidance and a moral compass to steer our young boys to where they belong,” he said, adding that greater emphasis will be placed on uniformed groups to increase discipline in schools.
“We feel that the presence of the groups will help with the disciplinary and behavioural problems we see. It will also teach the youngsters lessons they will not learn in the classroom.” Consulting psychologist, Dr Leahcim Semaj, welcomed the new thrust for uniformed groups in public schools but also called for more male-oriented groups and organizations. “There are about 287 women organizations, and how many do we have that focus on boys and men? We have to realize that there is a male energy that will become destructive if you do not transform it and socialize it,” he cautioned.