USAID – MoEYI Partnership for Improved Safety and Security in Schools

The project was a response to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information's (MoEYI) concern about the exposure of children to violence, particularly in schools. The partnership between USAID and the Government of Jamaica, valued at US$4 million, commenced implementation in July 2017. The project's prime objective was to transform schools and their immediate surroundings into safe zones through a multi-layered, multi-sectoral approach. The project was segmented into six interrelated components, including the reduction of violence and critical incidents among youths, the reduction of anti-social behaviors among youths, the engagement and education of parents, the provision of co-curricular activities, ongoing monitoring and evaluation, and capacity building in the MoEYI and its agencies. Key achievements were made in the stated period, including the improvement of boundary walls or perimeter fencing in eleven schools, the procurement of thirty-five walk-through metal detectors and six hundred and thirty hand-held metal detectors, and the selection, training, and deployment of eighteen Safety and Security Support Officers to primary schools. Additionally, eight hundred and seventy-six educators from two hundred and eighteen schools received training and capacity building opportunities in the School-Wide Positive Behaviour Intervention Support Framework (SWPBISF). The project also focused on reducing anti-social behaviors among youths through the implementation of behavior modification programs. This included the development of an Integrated Safety and Security Framework, which aimed to provide a comprehensive approach to safety and security in schools. Furthermore, the project established parent places to engage and educate parents, communities, and the wider society in the behavior modification process. The project's financial report showed that disbursement from USAID amounted to US$2,946,775, representing 98% of the USAID commitment to the project. The Government of Jamaica contributed US$1,111,137, representing 111% of the GOJ commitment to the project. The project's overall goal was to create a safer learning environment for children and youth in Jamaica, and the achievements made during the stated period contributed to the achievement of this goal. The project's success was also attributed to the establishment of strategic partnerships with external organizations, agencies, and programs, including the Community Safety and Security Branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the We Transform Youth Empowerment and Reintegration Programme of the Ministry of National Security, Youth Crime Watch of Jamaica, and the Dispute Resolution Foundation. These partnerships facilitated the implementation of the project's activities and contributed to the achievement of the overall goal of the project. The project's impact was also evident in the reduction of violence and anti-social behaviors among youths. The project's data collection and monitoring activities provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of the project's interventions and informed project decisions on safety and security sustainability activities in schools. The project's capacity building activities also contributed to the sustainability of the initiatives, ensuring that the benefits of the project would be sustained beyond the project's lifespan.