Kedith guards Duma Boko School, GSS and Boitekanelo College in Gaborone, along with a clinic. Some of these sites run tactical officers on day and night shifts because the school asked for that level of security. Here is what we've learned.
1. The gate is the whole job
Most school incidents start at the gate. Officers should know who is allowed in, sign every visitor in and out, check identification, and hold a list of who may collect each child. A child should never leave with an adult the school hasn't authorised.
2. Nights and holidays need as much attention as school hours
Empty schools attract theft of computers, cables, fuel and equipment. A night shift that patrols the perimeter and buildings, and reports what it finds, protects the school's assets when nobody else is there.
3. Cameras nobody watches don't stop anything
Many schools have CCTV that records but isn't monitored. Ask who watches the cameras and who responds to the alarm. Connecting them to a 24/7 control centre turns recordings into a response.
4. The right officers for the setting
Officers around children must be calm, disciplined and professional. Ask your provider how officers are selected and trained, and whether you can see their certificates. Ours are trained through Ndulamo Academy.
5. Event days and emergencies
Sports days, prize-givings and open days bring hundreds of visitors. Plan extra officers for those days, agree on evacuation points, and make sure officers know the school's emergency procedures.
6. Reports the school can actually use
Every incident should be written up and reported to the school's administration: who, what, when and what was done. Through KedithConnect, our clients are moving to having these records online.
A checklist for school leaders
- Is every visitor signed in and out?
- Is there an authorised pick-up list at the gate?
- Is the school guarded at night and in the holidays?
- Who monitors the cameras and alarms?
- Have the officers been trained to work around children?
- Do you receive written incident reports?