Education Minister confirms metal detectors coming for ESHS

Minister of Education, Youth & Sports Affairs Sharie de Castro has announced plans to introduce metal detectors at Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) as part of enhanced security measures.

During a press conference on Tuesday, March 4, marking the start of Education Month, a representative from RAMS Media Group at ESHS questioned the need for stricter security at the school.

“Will we be given additional security officers, and will metal detectors be reinstated for students who walk through daily?” they asked.

In response, de Castro stated that while the ministry is assessing the need for more security personnel, steps are already underway to procure metal detectors.

“We’re currently working on acquiring metal detectors and expect to have them in place this year,” she confirmed.

However, she emphasised that broader security measures are needed beyond metal detectors.

“The challenge at ESHS goes beyond just metal detectors. We need to properly enclose the school. We have already put certain projects out to tender to finalise the perimeter wall, ensuring that the school infrastructure is secured and preventing unauthorised individuals, weapons, or drugs from entering the campus,” de Castro explained.

She further revealed plans to expand surveillance coverage by installing additional security cameras around the school’s perimeter and equipping security personnel with improved monitoring technology.

“We already have cameras, but there are blind spots where students engage in unfortunate misbehaviour. More cameras are needed to eliminate these gaps,” she added.

The push for heightened security follows ongoing concerns about student behaviour at ESHS, with reports of students bringing weapons to school and engaging in drug use, including sex-enhancement drugs.

In response, the school has implemented a new policy of immediate suspensions for students found with contraband items on campus.

The ministry continues to urge the wider community to assist in addressing the challenges posed by troubled students, reinforcing that school security is a shared responsibility.