SECURITY personnel at schools should not simply stand by and watch students fight. They must attempt to stop it.
This is according to Minister of Education, Ronald Jones, who is making it clear that any security officer working at a school has the duty to act as a responsible adult whenever there is the need for them to show care and concern.
The Minister was speaking about what is required of security personnel, at a recent press conference held at the Ministry, Constitution Road, St Michael, to discuss the increase in violence at schools.
Jones admitted that the job of security officer is naturally a challenging job, and added that there is generally a showing of disrespect for those who are ultimately in charge of national security, including Police.
However, he said security officers working at schools also have a duty of care, and should act responsibly, whenever there is an emergency situation.
“So any security officer, who just believes that they can just simply stand by and watch students destroy each other, is badly informed. That duty of care means that you must use reasonable force or action, to bring annulment of that behaviour.”
“So that is saying to me, that we might need all the agencies involved in the provision, if they are state granted personnel from the Security and Defence Division, or if they are persons who come from some of the security firms, that they might not be truly aware of the role that they have to play,” he said.
Minister Jones advised that the duties of security personnel stationed at schools go beyond the protection of property. (AH)
