Concerned parents take protest action at CHSS to demand increased school security

A handful of parents with children attending the Clare Hall Secondary School took action on Monday (06 February) calling for proper security at the institution.

Just over a dozen concerned parents reportedly gathered outside of the school’s main entrance gate which was closed at the time.

This was in response to last Tuesday’s (January 31) incident at the school which sent panic among the school population including students and teachers.

It was reported that two armed, masked young men breached the school’s security and entered the compound in search of a student while being armed with a cutlass and golf club.

The incident forced the closure of the school for two days as teachers met to devise ways on how best to improve the security at the educational institution.

Principal of the school Ashworth Azille, in a letter to parents last week, confirmed that a security guard was on duty at the time of the incident.

Other media reports claim that two security officers in addition to a police officer are stationed at the school; however, parents and teachers are reportedly requesting that two police officers be detailed at the educational institution. Reportedly a letter has been penned to the principal requesting that this be done.

Parents are also concerned about the safety of their children while at school taking into account the recent upsurge in youth-related school violence.

The Cabinet has again pledged to install CCTV cameras at the nation’s schools as a means of added security.

Reports are that the police are also expected to make regular spot checks at the various schools.

Meanwhile, a committee was recently put in place to mull over solutions needed to address the persistent youth-on-youth violence.

The body is expected to convene an urgent meeting this week.