The Ministry of Education is to order 250 more metal detectors to be placed in schools across the island, as part of its thrust to stamp out violence in the nation's public education institutions.

This will bring to 350, the number of metal detectors to be placed in schools.

"Some schools will need up to two," Alphansus Davis, special adviser to Minister of Education Andrew Holness, told The Gleaner.

Davis said a few of the 100 metal detectors which were placed in secondary schools last year were not working and schools would get new ones.

He noted that metal detectors were initially placed in schools which are on the Safe Schools Programme. Under the programme, police personnel called school resource officers are placed in schools to address the level of violence and indiscipline.

Deterrent

Davis revealed that the metal detectors would be expanded to schools that are not on the Safe Schools Programme, adding that primary and junior high schools could also receive machines if the need arises.

He noted that school principals have welcomed the devices, adding that the detectors serve as a deterrent.

"They have been finding weapons and principals have reported that they find it useful because fewer students are taking weapons to school," Davis told The Gleaner.