Minister concerned over school security

Hon Alden McLaughlin,
Minister of Education

Wednesday,  January 11, 2006

Even with an increase in the number of security personnel on school compounds, and “a quiet start” to the new school year on the John Gray and George Hicks Schools’ compounds, Hon Alden McLaughlin, Minster of Education said, “I am still nervous.”

Speaking at the first weekly Media Briefing for the year by Cabinet members on 6 January 2006, Mr McLaughlin said that the number of security personnel had been increased to eight, but he was still worried.

Mr McLaughlin said that what he was really on the lookout for was what would happen on these compounds when students were back at school in full numbers.

“We will see what will happen on Monday (9 January),” he said when a further 149 children are expected to return to school.

Asked why numbers were down at the start of the school term by over 100, Mr McLaughlin said that he had observed in the past that when a school term began midweek, some children were late in returning from holidays abroad because of flight arrangements. He acknowledged that there could be other reasons of which he was reluctant to elaborate.

“I would rather not say,” the Minister said.

Concerning the new Discipline Task Force, which had been announced at a previous meeting, Mr McLaughlin said appointments were almost complete. 

He added that the Head Boys and Head Girls of John Gray and George Hicks were part of the Force. 

Besides other persons he said that two young people who had recently completed University degrees would be invited to sit on the Force as well.

Continuing to report on other Education Ministry activities, Mr McLaughlin revealed that he would be leading a delegation to the World Education Ministers’ three-day Conference in London with Angela Martins and Mary Rodrigues attending the three-day Conference, an event that would focus on the Application of Information Technology in Education.

He said the Conference would include visits to schools to see how information technology is applied, as well as Workshops to focus on the Impact of Information Technology on Schools.

Mr McLaughlin said that he was eager to see what the Conference had to offer.

“I am keen to see what is available on that front.”

Speaking about his Ministry’s move to the third floor of the Royal Plaza building, he said that the clear advantage at the new location was that it allowed for him to have direct access to staff in each aspect of the Ministry. 

“I am excited about delivering increased efficiencies from the Ministry’s new location,” he said.

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