Education Minister Fayval Williams has announced that schools island wide will be equipped with handheld metal detectors which will be used to combat the increment violence found in schools.
Minister Williams also outlined that other schools will be provided with a walk through metal detectors.
“Ideally, as they come in through the gate, that should happen. But also, you can do random scanning and searching as well if there’s a suspected situation, or even just randomly, just to let the students know that as the principal managing the school, you’re serious about them not having these harmful implements and having thoughts of harming each other. So you want to catch it before it happens” Minister Williams outlined.
Since the resumption of face-to-face classes on March 7, there has been a steady increase in the reports of students engaging in knife wielding brawls.
Last week, a 16-year-old student from the William Knibb High School in Trelawny, Khamal Hall, was stabbed and killed by another student over a guard ring.
According to reports, shortly after 11, Hall was in the school’s compound when an altercation ensued with another student
The accused reportedly used a knife to stab the deceased in the upper region of his back.
Another stabbing incident also unfolded on the grounds of the Petersfield High, where a student reportedly removed a knife from her underwear and repeatedly stabbed another student.
Following the brawl, the remaining students were released from lessons at 10:30 am after two brawls ensued.
The accused has since been accosted by the police.
Meanwhile, a routine search at the St. Catherine high school yesterday yielded several weapons along with ganja laced coconut drops during.
Among the items seized include knives, scissors, compasses, shards of glass and metal rulers.
In addition, two of the students have since been arrested and charged for possession of marijuana.