Education Minister Kenson Casimir says the government is preparing to implement targeted security measures at schools across Saint Lucia, with interventions to be determined according to the specific risks faced by individual institutions.
Speaking during a pre-cabinet media briefing, Casimir explained that while additional funding has already been allocated for school security, the Ministry of Education intends to adopt what he described as a strategic and tailored approach.
“We did make a statement during my parliamentary debate, during the debate of the appropriations, that we produced additional funds for school security,” the minister said.
“We will be doing it on a case-by-case basis, so we know some of the schools are more at risk than the others, and so the ministry have put together an actual strategic team. We’re meeting tomorrow, by coincidence, to actually put the entire concept together.”
According to Casimir, the ministry has identified several security upgrades that may be introduced at vulnerable schools, including fencing and CCTV surveillance systems.
“We have funding for additional security measures such as fencing,” he stated. “The CCTV cameras from different schools. We know some of the schools that are at risk more. And so we’re going to strategically sit down at the table.”
The minister added that law enforcement officers would also play a role in shaping the ministry’s response to school safety concerns.
“We have identified some police officers that are going to be part of the strategic team,” Casimir disclosed. “And we are going to move forward in ensuring that we provide more safety and security for students at schools.”
Beyond physical security measures, Casimir stressed the importance of engaging students in productive after-school activities as part of a broader effort to reduce behavioral and disciplinary issues.
“I don’t think it’s unique to the times. I am concerned,” he said. “I want students to be more gainfully engaged in meaningful activities after school and the ministry have provided a number of after school, not just the Ministry of Education, but the Ministry of Social Transformation.”
He pointed to clubs, organizations and sporting programmes as critical outlets for young people, while also revealing plans to expand truancy monitoring efforts.
“We as a ministry, we’ve set aside some finances for additional truancy officers, and that will be part of what we want to put in, in terms of ensuring that there is less loitering, that we have kids getting involved in extracurricular activities,” Casimir explained.
The education minister also indicated that discussions are underway about appointing personnel specifically responsible for coordinating student participation in extracurricular programmes.
“We’ve been having some discussions on whether or not we get somebody responsible for creating the actual framework for diverting students into these extracurricular activities and taking it from there,” he said.