Nadine Molloy, president of the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools, has lauded the new safety and security measures for schools, but says funding will be needed if the recommendations are to be effectively implemented.

The safety and security measures, contained in a document, will, by next year, form the basis of a safe schools act. It details the ideal state of safety and security that the Ministry of Education wants each school to attain; gives guidance to the institutions, and explains the philosophy of the policy.

"For us, it is nothing new. It is the same thing that we have been lobbying for years," said Molloy, who was a member of the committee that made the recommendations for the safety and security measures.

"We are waiting to see if funding is going to come. If funding is forthcoming, then I can begin to smile," said Molloy, who is also the principal of the Buff Bay High School in Portland.

Meanwhile, Molloy said she was concerned about the Safe Schools Programme because it was not as efficient as it ought to be.

She noted that the interaction time between institutions and the school resource officers was limited.

Supportive

Doran Dixon, president of the Jamaica Teachers' Association, said his organisation supports the new safety measures; however, he said he was waiting to see the document.

"We support anything that will make the school secure and does not infringe on the rights of individuals," Dixon told The Gleaner.

He added: "But we would still like to see the document in black and white."

The document, which deals with six areas of safety and security, is to be delivered to all schools by the end of September.