A National Schools’ Safety Policy is set to be introduced in the upcoming academic term, aimed at addressing safety and security concerns within schools across the nation.
Joy Adamson, Deputy Chief Education Officer, revealed this information during her speech at the 23rd Passing Out Parade for fire cadets at the Arch Hall Fire Station on Friday.
The School Safety Policy will focus on four core pillars: safety, security, health, and ongoing maintenance. Adamson stressed the importance of a continuous commitment to safety and the establishment of a secure school environment.
The Ministry is presently engaging with various stakeholders, including unions, principal associations, police, and fire services, to ensure comprehensive coverage of all aspects of the policy.
Adamson highlighted the goal of fostering a community-wide approach to safety and nurturing a culture of safety drills at nursery, primary, and secondary education levels.
She emphasized that fire safety awareness and education were fundamental to fire prevention in schools. Regular fire drills, well-maintained fire alarm systems, and clear exits are among the elements incorporated into School Safety Plans and Fire Safety Plans, which schools are required to implement. These plans will be updated annually by the schools’ Health and Safety Committees.
Adamson encouraged the fire cadets, who were participating in the Fire Cadet Programme, to play an active role in their respective school’s Committees, underscoring that school safety is pivotal to effective learning.
The event saw the participation of 33 students, including eight females, in its 23rd year. Fire Cadet Sara Griffith was recognized as the Best Overall Cadet 2023 and also received awards for Best at Foot Drill and Junior Fire Cadet Best at Practical Ropes and Knots.