Curaçao agrees school safety measures after teacher injured in knife incident
Curaçao ministers agreed measures including bag checks and school supervision after a teacher was injured during a knife incident in Otrobanda.
The Government of Curaçao agreed new school safety measures after a teacher was injured while intervening in a confrontation involving a student with a knife at a school in Otrobanda last week, The People's Tribune reported. The newspaper said the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport reported that a student produced the knife during a conflict with another student.
The People's Tribune reported that ministers and education and security stakeholders met Tuesday to discuss measures including incident registration and reporting, added visibility and supervision at schools considered at greater risk, bag checks, preventive information programmes, teacher training and emergency exercises. Education Minister Sithree “Cey” van Heydoorn, Justice Minister Shalten Hato and Social Development, Labor and Welfare Minister Charetti America-Francisca took part, according to the newspaper.
The newspaper reported that the Education Ministry will review and strengthen existing safety measures, with attention to protocols on serious violence, weapons and dangerous objects. It said criminal prosecution may follow if justice authorities find it warranted.
The People's Tribune also reported that Curaçao's Council of Ministers approved a Psychosocial School Safety Plan in July covering all schools. The Ministry of Education is to coordinate its implementation with the National Reform Commission, the Temporary Work Organization and other partners.