Ministry of Education announces new safety protocols following school confrontation

The Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) and the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training have strongly condemned a recent incident at Workman’s Primary School in St. George, where a relative of a student entered the school compound unannounced and confronted members of staff.

In a press release issued earlier today, the Ministry has stated that such acts of aggression toward teachers, support staff, or students are unacceptable and reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for disruptions on school compounds.

In response to ongoing security concerns due to the incident, the Ministry is moving forward with the implementation of a comprehensive safety and security policy.

This initiative will introduce clear guidelines for public access to school compounds, including mandatory identification and appointment requirements for visitors.

“We are appealing to anyone who may need to visit a school to make an appointment and walk with some form of identification upon arrival,” the Ministry stated.

The BUT has expressed full support for the Ministry’s stance and the proposed measures.

“We strongly advocate for measures such as clear access protocols, identification requirements, and improved communication channels for visitors, as these are essential to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all school occupants. We urge the public to cooperate with schools and address grievances through peaceful and appropriate channels, ensuring that schools remain safe spaces conducive to learning and teaching.”

The Ministry is also appealing to the public, asking all visitors to adhere to guidelines and ensure their visits do not disrupt school operations.

“The Ministry does not tolerate any act of aggression towards its teachers, support staff or students, and we ask that any potential grievances be handled in a way that does not cause disruption to the school’s operations. We thank you for your cooperation”, the Ministry stated.

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