‘All primary schools secured by month-end’

President of the St George East Primary Schools’ Principals’ Association and Secretary of the National Primary Schools’ Principals’ Association, Trevor Oliver, yesterday said the ministry had informed them that all primary schools would be secured by November 30.

He said the ministry had also requested that principals seeking more than one security guard justify their request to the ministry. A meeting is also to be held with ministry officials, principals and security providers.

However, Oliver said that there were too many cases where only one security guard is posted at schools.

He said it was grossly inadequate and, in some cases, at least three guards were needed. He said in other cases there were guards who "are virtually watchmen and women and some young girls who work with nothing but a prayer."

Oliver said while the association was not asking for guns, at least there should be effective communication methods to enable the guards to get armed response if needed.

On the recent criminal activities close to schools, Oliver said the association condemned all crimes. He said, "We do not feel safe" and called on Government and the Opposition to work together to find solutions. Oliver said the staff and students at certain schools in areas where gun shots are often heard are psychologically affected.

On the topic of literacy at primary schools, Oliver said about 70 percent of primary school children were functionally literate. He said the association and the parent body have mounted a literacy campaign to improve the percentage, as they were determined to stem the number of illiterate students leaving primary school.