GUIDELINES from the National Safe School Policy will be implemented in 595 primary schools beginning September.

Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites said so far, the guidelines have been implemented in 164 secondary institutions, 111 all-age schools and 86 junior high schools.

To place more emphasis on the guidelines, the ministry will be establishing an intensive behaviour modification programme.

“It will highlight appropriate values and attitudes with specific reference to understanding the dead end nature of crime and violence, and reinforce positive and law abiding behaviours,” Thwaites explained.

The minister also noted that the programme will promote character building and positive socialisation as both a preventive and corrective approach to antisocial behaviours.

Meanwhile, Thwaites also disclosed details of a special intervention programme within schools.

“The students who are difficult to manage in class will now be subject to intense counselling by professionals in order that their behaviour may be properly analysed and corrected, where possible,” he said.

The minister pointed out that regional referral centres will be established to treat children with major dysfunctional tendencies, and that there will mandatory training for all teachers at training institutions in behaviour management.