Please support our Alliance’s calls for a now necessary comprehensive review of security across state schools, for the standardization and funding of a national school security protocol. We have proposed the “Rowe Reforms”, offering four solutions that we want to become an important part of the Government’s comprehensive solution.

The unfortunate death of eight-year-old Danielle Rowe after she was taken from her school premises and slaughtered highlights widening gaps in safety and security across the education system. Our executive commends the Government’s swift decision to install CCTV cameras at entry points of primary and infant schools since the move will help to realise one of the demands being made by our Alliance on the back of last week’s heinous crime.

We want more to be done since parents must be able to trust the systems in place to protect children when under the supervision of the state at school, and during their commute. Some of our members who are part of the security forces even worry that their child could fall victim to a predator aiming to “send a message" or exact revenge.

We believe that a comprehensive assessment is necessary to avoid exposing young students to undue harm in a society that has become more violent and uncaring. Already this year Jamaica is on track to surpass the 15 children murdered last year in our population of 3 million. More must be done to protect our children.

Parents Alliance’s Chairman, Rev. Herro-Verne Blair made this point in an earlier release titled, “Parents Alliance wants Comprehensive Security Solutions dubbed Rowe Reforms”. It can be accessed at: https://voice.parentsall.org/2023/06/15/parents-alliance-wants-comprehensive-security-solutions-dubbed-rowe-reforms/

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.

Please support our petition and look forward to more information about our demands throughout the month. We have every confidence that the Government of Jamaica will share our view since “if Jamaica as a nation cannot guarantee the safety of its children, then hope for a successful future is dead”.