The Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture the Honorable Akierra Missick hosted a Parent Teacher Association meeting for all public schools on Providenciales to address concerns relating to the safety of students. The meeting was held at the Gustavus Lightbourne Complex on January 11th.
Minister Missick addressed concerns arising out of the recent incident at Clement Howell High School as well as some of the measures that will be put in place to tackle school safety issues. She said there was now a ‘zero tolerance policy’ in place. The school was an environment of learning, rules and regulations. The life of the many would not be threatened by a few. She referred to section 34 of the Education Ordinance which provided for the “disciplining of students who continually break the rules”.
Minister Missick noted that among government’s priority was the establishment of a new educational facility that will address the needs of pupils who could no longer be accommodated in the school system due to gross misconduct. The Minister noted that government was fully aware of its responsibility to ensure that access to learning continued for all school aged children – but that this could be in various types of institutions.
The message was reinforced by the police who were close partners with the school. They will post a community liaison officer at the school for the rest of the school term, while other measures are put in place. The police called upon parents and the community to report any behavior that would seem potentially dangerous. Several other measures were announced as department officials informed parents that the schools will be adhering to a strict time for clearing the school compound on afternoons, to avoid loitering and parents will be called upon to play a more active part at school in ensuring that their children are picked up on time.
Minister Missick also reiterated the TCIG’s commitment to making the school environment a safe and healthy one for children and called on members of the schools’ communities to do their part in making it a reality.
