The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information has trained a total of 1,400 persons in school safety and security techniques, through its School-wide Positive Behaviour Intervention Support (SWPBIS) programme.

Of this number, 1,000 are representatives of schools who received training in administration as well as security techniques.

The remaining 400 are young persons who were trained as Security Operation Apprentices and will be placed in large primary schools and selected high schools.

This information was provided by Portfolio Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, during remarks at a ceremony at the Seaward Primary and Junior High School in Olympic Gardens, St. Andrew, on September 5.

The event was organised by the Community Safety and Security branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), with a focus on promoting school safety.

Senator Reid said the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI) cadet corps will also be fully rolled out in five schools this academic year. Additionally, more than 100 police youth clubs have been established.

He informed that 109 deans of disciplines were trained during July in time for the new school year.

The Ministry is also partnering with the JCF/School Resource Officers, to launch a mentorship programme in 40 schools this year. Twenty schools have already benefited from a safe school tour through this initiative.

“For our country to attain the levels of prosperity which we know it can achieve, we have to become a more disciplined society and education has to be that driving force,” Senator Reid emphasised.

Source: Jamaica Information Service