According to Rev. Herro-Verne Blair, the Chairman of Parents Alliance Jamaica, the recent announcement by the Honorable Fayval Williams, Education Minister, regarding the installation of CCTV cameras at primary and infant school entry points has been well-received by most parents.
This decision was made in response to the Alliance’s and other civic groups’ calls for increased security measures at state schools, following the tragic murder of Danielle Rowe, who was easily abducted from her school.
“We are pleased that the Education Minister likely shares our view that security must be improved across state schools”, Rev. Blair said. However the Alliance’s Chairman notes that the step is not enough to address parents’ serious concerns about children’s safety when they go to school.
According to Rev. Blair, “Some people have called Minister Williams’ announcement a ‘knee jerk reaction’, but we understand that a necessary comprehensive security review, and the standardization and funding of a national school security protocol will take some time”.
After news of Danielle’s death broke last Saturday, Parents Alliance made four demands that members say will restore trust in the Government’s ability to help protect Jamaica’s children.
Rev Blair said, “We are now calling our demands the “Rowe Reforms”, and we expect a well paid Government to recognize the need for this comprehensive solution, since good Governance requires this type of detail.”
He noted that the Rowe Reforms are not just about Danielle, but includes demands that motivated the creation of Parents Alliance in the first place.
“Our members always intended to call for some of these changes since Jamaica’s children face unusual risks at school and during their commute.
“Danielle’s abduction is extreme, and at another end of the spectrum our children are being exposed to pornographic and violent content regularly – on some public passenger vehicles, bus and taxi stands, and even at some schools.
“The time has come for the Government to stop turning a blind eye to the ills that are destroying the mental health and social fabric of our society for at least another generation”, Rev. Blair argued.
The Rowe Reforms urges:
1) The implementation of state-owned transportation services for students, ensuring safe and reliable transportation to and from school.
2) The establishment of a standardized and adequately funded national security protocol across all State schools, ensuring that all schools have the necessary resources to maintain a secure and safe learning environment.
3) The mandatory installation of CCTV cameras and fencing around the perimeter of all State schools, providing an additional layer of security and surveillance.
4) The provision of tracking and monitoring devices for students in high-risk cases, enabling schools to quickly respond to potential threats and ensure the safety of all students.
The Alliance will be launching a public petition to bring awareness to its demands before they are formally presented to relevant stakeholders.
As far as its leaders are concerned, “Danielle Rowe’s callous murder leaves a lasting stain and deserves a lasting solution. It should not pass society by as another nine-day-wonder”.