Police will maintain a presence at 17 schools identified as being most at risk for fighting, once the new academic year begins.

Chief Education Officer Dr. Peter Smith says the policy, which was implemented earlier this year, was quite effective in curbing school violence.

This was announced during a Ministry of Education media conference hosted on Monday.

With the new school term set to begin next Monday, teachers and students have been told that mask wearing is highly recommended, though not mandatory. 

Approximately 305,000 students and 30,100 teachers are expected for the physical opening of Term 1 of the Academic Year 2022 / 2023.