Not every school in Saint Lucia will receive armed security, according to Education Minister Kenson Casimir, who says the government is instead pursuing a targeted strategy that combines security upgrades with early intervention to tackle the root causes of school violence.
Speaking during Monday’s Pre-Cabinet Press Briefing, Casimir revealed that some schools already have armed security personnel, but stressed that expanding the measure across the island would be prohibitively expensive.
“We do have some schools with armed security, so it won’t be something introduced,” he said, adding that providing armed guards at every school would cost the ministry “a pretty penny.”
Instead, the Ministry of Education is adopting a case-by-case approach, tailoring security measures to the specific needs and risk levels of individual schools.
Casimir disclosed that numerous private security firms have submitted proposals to provide services to schools, but said the costs remain a major consideration.
Looking ahead, the minister signalled a shift away from traditional watchmen toward professionally trained security personnel as part of a broader modernization of school safety.
A dedicated school security committee has already been established to guide that transition. According to Casimir, the committee has been meeting regularly and is focusing on preventive measures such as expanding CCTV surveillance and strengthening security planning rather than simply reacting after incidents occur.
Beyond physical security, Casimir argued that lasting improvements will depend on addressing the social factors that place young people at risk.
He said the ministry is intensifying interventions in vulnerable communities and schools, with greater emphasis on technical and vocational education, alternative learning pathways, and support for students with different learning needs.
The minister said the objective is to identify struggling students early, provide environments better suited to their development, and steer them away from crime and antisocial behaviour before problems escalate on school campuses.
The ministry believes that combining smarter security investments with stronger educational and community support offers the most sustainable path to creating safer schools across Saint Lucia.
