Petrina Francis, Education Reporter
SEVERAL SCHOOLS across the island have been forced to implement tighter security measures following recent invasions by gunmen which have left both students and teachers in fear.
One such institution is the Angels Primary School in St. Catherine, where the principal and her assistant were recently held at gunpoint and robbed of $50,000 in cash.
School principal Eldrena Braham told The Gleaner yesterday that two armed men went to the school requesting that their children be registered for the September term. The principal's assistant told them that the registration period was closed.
Ms. Braham said one of the gunmen held a gun to her assistant's face while the other barged into her office demanding her handbag and other items.
AT GUNPOINT
She said the other gunman told her that it was a hold-up, while threatening to shoot her in her mouth.
The principal said the children were traumatised by the incident because they thought that she had been shot. But, when she emerged from the office and reassured them that she was unhurt, they began to cheer.
While the school does not have a security guard at the gate, the administration has been forced to lock the gates during school hours.
The incident was confirmed by Deputy Superintendent Howard Brown of the Spanish Town Police Station. He also noted that there was a break-in at the Eltham High School recently where the robbers stole amplifiers and speakers.
A teacher at Edith Dalton-James High School in St. Andrew was held up in a classroom recently and robbed of her jewellery and her car keys. The gunmen took her car, which had been outfitted with a tracking device, and it was later found.
The Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) said the invasion of schools by gunmen is frightening.
WANTON CRIME AND VIOLENCE
"We are alarmed and we are calling on the Government to ensure that not only teachers and students are safe but everybody is safe from the wanton crime and violence that is permeating the society," said Michael Clarke, president of the JTA.
He noted that the school is a microcosm of the society and the situation will worsen if the matter is not addressed with urgency.
Contacted yesterday, Dorrett Campbell, director of communications at the Education Ministry, said the ministry is spending millions of dollars on security in several schools. In addition, she said that the ministry will be working with the parent-teacher associations to help develop strategies to improve security in schools.
