Dear Parents,
We are sure it has come to your attention that a new Ministry decree regarding schools has recently been circulated. We understand that this has raised many questions, and we wanted to reach out promptly to provide clarity and reassurance.
Please rest assured that we are fully engaged at the forefront of the discussions. There has been continuous communication with the relevant authorities as we seek clarification on several points. However, we felt it important to update you now, as many of the items being mentioned are already in place at our school or are currently underway.
Below is a point-by-point overview:
1. Security Cameras
Our school operates with over 400 security cameras across all buildings and outdoor spaces, functioning 24/7 for surveillance and monitoring.
Cameras are not currently installed inside classrooms; however, the infrastructure is ready should it become mandatory, pending official licensing and regulation requirements.
2. Supervision on School Buses
As a matter of long-standing practice there is a trained bus supervisor assigned to every school bus and this supervisor is always on the bus when children are present.
Additionally, the school is already in process of investigating the feasibility of installing cameras on all buses via an NTRA-licensed vendor.
3. Drug Testing & Background Checks for All School Personnel
Strict screening measures have long been established at our school:
- Teachers, admin, senior leadership, support staff and matrons undergo police clearance, safeguarding checks, and full professional vetting.
- Bus drivers undergo full police checks and transport safety compliance.
- Workers, drivers, gardeners, outsourced personnel, and food vendors all must provide:
- Police clearance
- Drug tests
- Verified identification
- Clearance before entering the campus
These standards have been in place for many years and exceed typical requirements. The school will comply with the new requirements as and when they are clarified for us by the Ministry.
4. Safeguarding & Training Workshops
Safeguarding is deeply embedded in our school culture. We run regular training workshops for:
- Student body safety and safeguarding workshops for all ages, delivered by school counselors.
- Teaching and administrative staff
- Matrons (student handling, supervision, conduct)
- Drivers (safe driving, behaviour standards, emergency response)
- Workers and support staff (campus safety, professional boundaries, emergency procedures)
All practices are aligned with BSO, BSME, Ministry, and American accreditation guidelines.
5. Bathroom Supervision & Matron Presence
All student bathrooms on campus have a dedicated matron assigned as part of our safeguarding protocols and our matrons already remain at school an hour after the school day ends.
Her core responsibilities include:
- Overseeing cleanliness and hygiene
- Ensuring proper functioning and operations of the facilities
- Supervising and monitoring students—whether younger or older—while maintaining boundaries and safeguarding protocols
- Ensuring that no inappropriate behaviour, safety issues, or concerns arise
This system has always been in place at our school and forms an essential part of our daily safeguarding practice.
6. Security Presence on Campus
Security staff operate from quarters that are fully separated and fenced off from academic buildings. Their responsibilities focus on gates, entrances, exits, and outdoor areas.
Most have served the school for over 20 years, with full vetting completed by their outsourcing agency.
7. Maintenance & Workers
Our maintenance team is essential for the safe and efficient daily operation of the school. All staff are vetted thoroughly and are full-time employees of the school, not outsourced labourers. .
We are currently awaiting official clarification regarding proposed restrictions on their working hours inside the campus.
8. Student Arrival & Dismissal Procedures
We maintain full supervision for early arrivals and late pickups.
Independently from the decree, we are preparing to pilot a QR-code pickup system. Rollout will continue in phases, and parent feedback is welcome.
9. Upcoming Site Access Adjustments
Starting next week, access to campus—especially during pickup times—will be further limited as part of our ongoing safety measures. Updated procedures will be shared soon.
Final Note
We continue to await further clarification from the Ministry and will update all parents promptly once details are finalized. Our priority remains the safety, wellbeing, and smooth daily experience of every student on campus.
Thank you for your trust, understanding, and continued partnership.
Warm regards,
El Alsson School Leadership
