Manitoba mandates safety reviews for all schools in response to a recent child assault incident. Premier Wab Kinew emphasized the paramount importance of child safety during a press conference at the Manitoba School Boards Association office in Winnipeg. The assault occurred at Darwin School, where a student was attacked in a bathroom on November 27. Scott William George, 28, faces charges of assault and forcible confinement in connection with the incident.
Following this incident, Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt has instructed all school divisions to submit emergency response plans for review. The plans will include measures for controlling access at school entrances. Premier Kinew stressed the need for a locked-door policy in all Manitoba schools. The deadline for school divisions to submit their reports to the government is December 25.
Manitoba has allocated $500,000 for the school boards association to provide training sessions and develop an online safety training module for school staff. The training will cover controlled access, risk assessment, emergency response, and safety protocols. Additionally, the MSBA will organize a provincial school safety forum to enhance system-wide safety measures.
The incident involving George has raised concerns about sex offender notifications and school security. George had a history of offenses, including a previous incident involving a six-year-old girl. Despite being prohibited from contact with children, he was able to breach his conditions and enter schools undetected. The lack of a community notice regarding George’s activities has sparked criticism of the government.
Premier Kinew and Minister Schmidt have emphasized the importance of reassurance and safety in schools. They highlighted the role of school resource officers in maintaining security, despite previous controversies surrounding their presence in schools. The government aims to collaborate with school divisions to enhance safety measures and address any existing gaps in security protocols.