According to a press release, the document was created following a national stakeholders’ consultation on promoting safe and secure schools convened last year at the National Conference Centre. It was funded by the ministry and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and outlines certain crisis situations and the appropriate response; for example, procedures for conducting searches on children and when to seek the intervention of the police.
The manual also address other important matters, notably, the role of school administrators, staff, students, parents/guardians, the police and education officials, including guidance and counselling officers in promoting a culture of learning. It also covers issues such as access to schools, managing of illegal weapons and illicit substances in schools, the monitoring of gangs, associations, anti-social cliques and dealing with the aftermath of an incident, the release said.
In his address at the launch, Education Minister Shaik Baksh said the ministry’s commitment to promote and maintain discipline in schools cannot be questioned, “as these are reflected in a plethora of interventions to address the problem.” These initiatives include the introduction of the Health and Family Life Education Programme in 70 schools, the promotion of child-friendly schools, the strengthening of the Schools Welfare Department and others. Baksh said the Department’s capacity will be enhanced to enable it to reach out to more students, particularly those in the hinterland dorms.
According to the minister these initiatives have been having a positive impact in inculcating safe and acceptable behaviours in students and the ministry has been able to keep indiscipline behaviours in the school system under control. He also said guidance and counselling officers have been working with selected schools and have responding to the needs of children who need help.
Baksh also lauded the Guyana Teachers’ Union’s (GTU) contribution to the Protocol, noting that safe and secure learning environments must be the business of all. In response, GTU President Colwin Bynoe said the union was pleased to have had an input in the document and it is solidly behind the ministry’s efforts to promote safe schools.
Chief Education Officer Olato Sam said the manual is of great significance to the ministry as safe school environments are a prerequisite to learning. He said the ministry will be monitoring the implementation of the Protocol and called for it to be incorporated into the Education Management Programme being offered by the National Centre for Education Resource Development. Also, UNICEF representative Michelle Rodrigues pleaded the agency’s continued support to the ministry.
The Protocol was launched on Wednesday.
