The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information has launched a National Schools Firearm Management and Response Protocol to eliminate gun violence and the use of weapons in schools.

The first of its kind in the Caribbean, the protocol is aimed at ensuring that schools remain safe, supportive and protective learning environments.

It provides standardised procedures for prevention, early intervention, coordinated emergency response and post-incident recovery, prioritising the safety and well-being of students, teachers and all stakeholders.

Speaking at the launch at the Ministry’s National Heroes Circle office on Monday (October 26), Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Kasan Troupe, noted that the development of the document involved consultations with key stakeholders – principals, vice principals, guidance counsellors, regional officers, teachers, deans of discipline, students, parents and others involved with the education system.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), Firearms Licensing Authority (FLA) and the Children’s Advocate were involved in the preparation and consultancy.

Dr. Troupe also noted the contribution from the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), the British Council Caribbean and others.

“We are indeed grateful that we, as partners, could come together to do this… now that we have a guideline in place. It makes it easier for all those mediated channels to know exactly what to do [and] when,” she said.

Dr. Troupe noted that improvements will continue to be made to the document.

“It is not final because as we learn, as we interact, we will see different aspects of the work [that] we did not contend with, and sometimes [it is] when you’re doing the work that you will realise the other areas that need to be involved,” she pointed out.

For his part, National Coordinator for Safety and Security in Schools, Richard Troupe, who led the development of the protocol, noted that it addresses both legal and illicit firearms.

“We would have seen and heard of reports of children of parents with legal firearms, having access to such weapons, would have pulled the trigger [and] those children are no longer here. So, the document speaks in a very important way about the issue of firearm, not just illegal but [also] legal,” he said.

He said that a sensitisation session would follow the launch with other key stakeholders, and soft copies will be made easily accessible.

Between September 2022 and June 2023, there were 68 reported critical incidents to the Ministry.

In addition, approximately 247 minors were reported in conflict with the law for firearm-related offences between 2019 and 2024, of which 90 per cent were boys.

The protocol’s cover illustration was designed by Charlemont High School student Nevia Williamson, who won the artwork competition.

The launch of the document formed part of activities for School Safety Week 2026, which is being observed from October 25 to 30.