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VI students divided on need for metal detectors in schools

- one student said, ‘It would be good, but it still would be bad’
Metal detectors were introduced at Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) by a local security firm in January 2013, but subsequently discontinued. Photo: VINO/File
Students involved in a discussion during the Finals of the Inter-Secondary School National Debating Competition held at the New Testament Church of God International Worship Centre in Baughers Bay yesterday, March 13, 2024. Photo: GIS
Students involved in a discussion during the Finals of the Inter-Secondary School National Debating Competition held at the New Testament Church of God International Worship Centre in Baughers Bay yesterday, March 13, 2024. Photo: GIS
Moderator Damion C. Grange had asked whether there was a need for mental detectors in school given the gun violence in the VI which prompted the responses from the students. Photo: GIS/Facebook
Moderator Damion C. Grange had asked whether there was a need for mental detectors in school given the gun violence in the VI which prompted the responses from the students. Photo: GIS/Facebook
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI - Some High school students in the Virgin Islands have shown a division as to whether there should be metal detectors in schools, citing possible abuse of the system by the school authority and distrust between students and their. administration.

The students were at the time having a panel discussion during the Finals of the Inter-Secondary School National Debating Competition held at the New Testament Church of God International Worship Centre in Baughers Bay yesterday, March 13, 2024.

'Distrust'

Moderator Damion C. Grange had asked whether there was a need for metal detectors in school given the gun violence in the VI which prompted the responses from the students.

“I think they should not have metal detectors because it builds a sense of distrust between the staff and students, you can still use different forms of security measure to make sure and ensure the student's safety… but they should not be metal detectors,” one male student said.

'It's not safe @ school'- ESHS student

Another student said she would welcome metal detectors because, as a student of Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS), she feels unsafe as some students would come with weapons, “It’s not safe… students be coming with all kinds of weapons, it’s not safe for students,” she said.

She said for ESHS, there is also a bad rap about the school for them specifically, as such, there is a need.

Administrator would 'abuse system' - student 

Meanwhile, another female student cited possible abuse of the system by the school’s administration as it related to phones being referred to as ‘contraband’ which she said is not allowed, “But besides that, the school need it [metal detectors] for real… I agree to disagree,” she added.

Other students said the generation of today would bring all types of weapons at school and the detectors would add to the level of security while others said a school has multiple entry points so students would bring in whatever they want to regardless.

“You should enforce other security measures in order to protect the school,” one student added.

One student, to loud applause, called for more action to be taken outside of the school and in the community, to discourage violence, and to teach youths and younger children that violence is never the key.

11 Responses to “VI students divided on need for metal detectors in schools”

  • jack (14/03/2024, 12:22) Like (12) Dislike (5) Reply
    Let's put police there also
    • Law Man (14/03/2024, 16:35) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      Parents need to take responsibility for their children behavior and short comings . Students lack respect for persons in authority period. Some of these same parents were delinquent in school and their children inherited the same behavior. Putting Police in school is a waste of resources. I went to the same public school in the British Virgin Islands and turned out well. Had a very strict father. The issue starts from home, or what we would say the broken home syndrome.
      • @law man (15/03/2024, 09:58) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        Ty. Been preaching this. Raise the youths better.

        Women pick better men. Stretch women straight to the office women are picking up very options of men only to end up a single parent or the father not being active in the child's life


        Men be more present in you child's life.


        Decipline your child so they won't go astray
        Parents should be their biggest role model.
        Raise the women better stop having your under age child dress scandalous and think it's cute. It's not



        Raise the boys better. Stop dressing them up like thugs and gangster with all that jewelry and pants sagging. You are destroying you child's future and the bvi future generation.
  • uhmmm (14/03/2024, 12:45) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply
    Why does students have a say?
  • instead of good to great (14/03/2024, 12:45) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    We gone from bad to worst
  • Seafood boil (14/03/2024, 13:18) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    Distrust between staff and students?? I’m sure many of us have traveled. I have no problem walking through metal detectors because I know that their intended purpose means well, not only for the safety of myself but others around me. What exactly is the downside? Yes to metal detectors. A step towards safer school campuses.
  • Sigh (14/03/2024, 14:20) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    If it’s not safe at school it’s because it’s not safe at home. Blame the parents collectively for having children they can’t raise to be law abiding citizens.
  • WHO'S THE BOSS ? (14/03/2024, 17:10) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    what the student have to to fear from the metal detector ❓️ ???? ( we already had a red flag , where youth rode unto the school grounds , I hope they put video cameras on the whole compound ) and not wait untill the inevitable HAPPENS and act like they could of prevented any school child from getting hurt or killed by been proactive in putting in preventative measures in place
  • hmm (14/03/2024, 21:57) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Metal detectors, weed detectors, and alcohol detectors need to be installed
  • Roger Burnett (15/03/2024, 06:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree with those that cite parenting as the problem, and preferably parenting by both mother and father. Children need the guidance of both.
  • Li Lu (16/03/2024, 11:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Student what? The ones giving problems will obviously have a problem with Metal Detector. They have a problem with books, schoolwork, teacher (s), principals, security, police every blooming thing. Well too bad either get with the program or get out from amongst those who wishes to better themselves by getting their education. I will also recommend breathalyzers to test their rum or cannabis levels. Once detected they should not be allowed into classroom settings.


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