With the increasing number of crime targeted at children, child safety is now a main concern for schools and the police.

The Education Ministry and Police have launched a new programme that will ensure the safety of children in schools.

Speaking at the launch of the Toorak Schools Watchzone, Acting Education Permanent Secretary, Basundra Kumar says the purpose of the watch zone is to build a strong partnership within the nine schools in Toorak and the police in order to combat crime.

Watchzone Chairman Neumi Vola says their work will include keeping the students safe as well as keeping them away from crimes.

“The trend that we have now, on cases of students being kidnaped or taken away from schools we have come together to see what are the good practices at schools like security – like when does the gate opens, closes, how do you go about visitors, or anybody who visits school – so there are procedures that are set.”

Vola added that the role of the police officers has become more important as they have taken over most of the responsibilities of counseling from the teachers.

Commander Central Tevita Waqabaca says the main intention of the government is to have a safe and secure environment for Fijians and to have a sustainable growth.

“The police has its obligations to ensure the safety and the security of the people is paramount so the initiative that was taken by the police here in Toorak and also from the teachers here… with sincere gratitude, we thank them very much for that and I hope this is our leaders of tomorrow and we should look after them well and we should guide them well and teach them.”

The theme for the launch was “A safe and secure schools for all – Our responsibility. Schools are being urged to liaise with respective community police posts and utilize the support the police provides.