Opposition MP Dr Roodal Moonilal is calling on Government to implement “effective safety and security measures” within the nation's schools.
His call comes after an incident on Thursday (May 23, 2024), in which at least five students were injured during a violent clash at the Palo Seco Secondary School.
According to Dr Moonilal, there is an urgent need for government to immediately introduce policies to allow for greater involvement by the Police Service at schools through the Community Policing Programme.
The Opposition MP noted in a statement that metal detector equipment should be placed at schools, beginning at high-risk institutions.
“There should be all-round improved school safety exercises, with an enhanced role for the Maintenance, Training and Security Company (MTS),” he said.
He added: “The Government must reintroduce the schools’ security programme which the Kamla Persad-Bissessar Administration implemented and which the [Dr Keith] Rowley regime arbitrarily scrapped.”
Dr Moonilal also recommends that the Defence Force and other arms of the protective services carry out mentoring exercises at schools.