The cost of improving school security could run into the millions, the Ministry of Education revealed yesterday.

However Government's Budget Statement released in March pronounced: "The initiatives promised by this Government to reduce class sizes in primary schools and improve safety in the Island's schools have been allocated $850,000 in the coming year of the capital plan.'' This means it may be several years before schools are considered safe by modern standards.

Questions concerning school safety were sent to the Ministry of Education on July 3 following the break in and vandalism at a Prospect Primary School on the weekend of June 24-25 and the break in at Victor Scott School a week later.

A reply was received yesterday from Minister Of Education Milton Scott who said: "As Minister of Education, I join my Government in expressing concern about the increase in violent acts of vandalism at Prospect Primary School and Victor Scott School.

"Most of our school buildings are older and the Ministry is committed to ensure that all schools are upgraded to meet the new building code.

"This involves meeting fire as well as other safety codes.'' The report produced for the Government's first 500 days in power reported: "In the first 500 days, the Ministry of Education conducted a survey of all principals and teachers-in-charge to identify their concerns with respect to safety and security at their respective sites.'' The Government added that the estimated cost of making these improvements would run into the millions.

The report was requested but the response was: "The reports are internal documents and will form the basis for the upgrading of our school plants. The reports will not be made public.'' Livingston Tuzo, President of the Association of School Principals, said: "They had Works and Engineering come up to look at matters for fire alarms, based on the Harrington Sound matter.

"They sent out people to look at fire safety. People looked at the perimeter (fences and buildings) and a memo went to every school requesting floor plans.

"Schools were supposed to have submitted floor plans of their buildings and identify what could be considered safe rooms for summer to store video equipment and so on.'' Mr. Tuzo explained: "The floor plans went to Bob Winters at the Ministry of Education but the floor plans are what we use for fire drills, something we use internally, they are very basic.

"They did site visits then went away, and nothing has been heard back to date.

"When I go back I will find if more of my rooms have been fitted with burglar alarms.'' Mike Charles of the Bermuda Union of Teachers responded to inquiries about the report saying: "I don't know about that report.'' And on the subject of school security, he added: "Schools are very difficult to secure. They were built at a time when Bermuda was a different issue.'' Both Mr. Charles and Mr. Tuzo saw the damage to Prospect Primary and both men expressed their total shock at the destruction that vandals caused during the weekend of June 24.

It is still not known what the cost of the damage was although Government has insurance for acts of vandalism and assumes responsibility for any cost not paid for by insurance.

There are 39 Government schools comprised of 30 primary schools, five middle schools, two senior schools and two special schools.

Police have interviewed several people in connection with the Prospect Primary and Victor Scott Primary break ins but no arrests have been made and inquiries are continuing.

CRIME CRM