The Ministry and Department of Education have put in place a number of security measures to safeguard students, staff and examination candidates.
The move comes following a recent surge in gun violence in Anguilla including a shooting at Blowing Point Ferry Terminal and the tragic murder of two men last week.
“The safety and security of students, teachers, staff and employees remain the Department of Education’s primary focus,” a press release from the department said on 11 May.
“The department recognises that these heightened interventions may pose some inconvenience. However, this is required to help maintain wholesome and effective teaching-learning environments.”
Psychosocial support
The Department of Education will offer psychosocial support and reassurance through special assemblies at each campus of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School (ALHCS) on Monday, 12 May.
It will also provide one-on-one sessions as needed for students and staff.
Similar special assemblies will be held at each of the six primary schools and counselling opportunities will also be made available.
Pre-existing protocols
The Department of Education said the following protocols, though pre-existing will be strictly enforced:
At secondary level:
- Only authorised vehicles (teachers, administrative and education support staff) are permitted to park on any of the ALHCS campuses. Parents will be allowed to drive on to campus to drop off/pick-up students but will not be allowed to park.
- Gates at all campuses must remain closed throughout the school day.
- All students and examination candidates must undergo thorough searches upon arrival at ALHCS (Campus A, Campus B, Quarter Campus) and the two non-campus exam locations at the Teachers’ Resource Centre (TRC) and the rented facility above the Anguilla Community College’s (ACC) administrative offices.
- Handheld metal detectors must be used to support search procedures at Campus A, Quarter Campus and the other examination centres.
At primary level:
- School safety officers will facilitate management of the visitor process.
- Anyone visiting campus will be required to sign in and wear a prominently displayed ‘visitors’ badge.
- Where applicable, gates will be kept closed during the school day. Only authorised vehicles (teachers, staff etc.) will be allowed to park on the premises.
Police support
The Department of Education has requested the Royal Anguilla Police Force provide a heightened police presence at all ALHCS campuses.
This is due to the increased movement of candidates (including external candidates) for examinations purposes, and the heightened need for vigilance.
The annual CCSLC (Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence), CSEC (Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate), and CAPE (Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination) are currently taking place.
Additional security
Alert Security Services, has been asked to deploy additional personnel at Department of Education’s off-site examination centres at the TRC and the rented facility above the ACC’s administrative offices in The Valley.
The additional personnel will conduct searches and provide security coverage during examination periods.
These enhanced measures will be implemented with immediate effect and will be maintained for the duration of the examination period.
Examination candidates
Exams will run according to schedule, the Department of Education has said.
Examination candidates are encouraged to reconfirm the venue and start time of each of their examinations according to the DOE’s weekly published update.
All examination candidates are asked to be cognisant that heightened security checks may delay the process of entry to examination spaces.
Candidates should adhere to exam regulations and present for their exams about one hour before the scheduled start.
Candidates taking exams at the TRC auditorium are informed that the official entrance to TRC is via the large stairs at the back (facing the Soroptimist Centre).
Candidates attempting to access the TRC auditorium via the internal library stairs will be redirected to the external stairs at the back of the building.
