Jennings Secondary School is receiving significant public support for conducting a realistic lockdown drill, with many commenters praising the school for being proactive despite the Ministry of Education saying the exercise was carried out without its authorization.

Reaction poured in after video of Friday’s exercise circulated on social media showing a masked male carrying what appeared to be a rifle as students screamed and ran across the school compound.

While the footage initially caused alarm, many of the responses posted under Antigua News Room’s coverage defended the school’s decision to prepare students for the possibility of a real security threat.

Some of the comments supporting the exercise also attracted considerably more reactions than those criticizing it.

“AKA with all the chaos with youths in Antigua, Jennings school is Proactive,” Keturah EL Roi Tannis wrote. The comment had received 40 likes when captured.

Shawnor Charles also defended the school, arguing that a genuine emergency would not come with advance authorization.

“Education ministry needs to be grateful that some thought the way he should be thinking,” Charles wrote. “The real thing ain’t authorized neither. Preparedness is what matters.”

That comment attracted 28 likes.

Theron Floyd described the exercise as a useful way of determining how people would respond under genuine pressure.

“That’s what its about. That’s a real test, only how you get real answers,” he wrote. His comment received 17 likes.

Alfa Omega went further, describing the exercise as a “brilliant idea” and saying such preparation should be taught in schools.

“The ministry vex because they couldn’t come up with such a brilliant idea!” the commenter wrote. “These are some things that should be taught in school. Endorsed!”

Sonia George also described the exercise as a “brilliant Demonstration,” saying recent events showed why students, teachers and parents should remain vigilant.

Another commenter, Junior Robinson, said “a good intention was misunderstood,” while Janet Williams suggested other schools should have received similar training.

Questions were also directed at the Ministry of Education over what emergency preparedness training it provides.

Saran Purcell-Douglas asked when the ministry last organized such a drill or conducted training with teachers, faculty and students. Her comment, which included references to active-shooter response, bomb threats and situational awareness, attracted 24 likes.

The widespread support did not mean the manner in which the drill was conducted escaped criticism.

Several people said they supported emergency preparedness but believed parents should have been informed, while others said the realistic nature of the exercise caused unnecessary fear.

“Only thing I wanted was a heads up.. that’s it,” Latoya Joseph Pelle wrote. “All said an done thank u teachers n principal. From a greatful parent. Video nearly kill me. I do understand the reason.”

Others were more strongly opposed.

Alexia Jones called the exercise “Utter NONSENSE” and questioned what students could learn “in the midst of chaos.”

Blondell Deazle said the footage frightened her because she initially did not recognize the school and feared for her grandson. She warned that relatives who believed an actual attack was taking place could have rushed to the school.

Chauncey Alfred called for the principal to be suspended, while Tanya Allen questioned why an exercise of that nature would be conducted without permission.

The school subsequently issued a letter to parents explaining that it had conducted a lockdown drill “to make students aware of how to stay safe in case intruders came on the school’s campus.”

Principal Rody Christopher acknowledged that “some persons misunderstood and some confusion was caused.”

“Please be assured that all is well and we have the best interest of your child / ward in mind,” Christopher wrote.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology later confirmed there had been no actual armed intrusion at Jennings Secondary or any other school in Antigua and Barbuda.

However, the ministry publicly distanced itself from the exercise, saying it had neither approved nor been informed about it beforehand.

“The Ministry wishes to make clear that this exercise was not authorized,” it said. “It was planned and carried out without the knowledge or permission of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.”

The ministry said emergency drills are important to school safety but must receive prior approval and involve clear communication and careful coordination to prevent misunderstanding and unnecessary distress.

“Neither was in place on this occasion,” the ministry said.

It also apologized for the “alarm and panic” experienced by students, parents, guardians and members of the public who did not know the incident was a simulation.

Despite the ministry’s rebuke, the reaction under Antigua News Room’s coverage suggests many members of the public support the underlying decision by Jennings Secondary to prepare students for a potential intrusion, particularly amid heightened concern about youth violence and crime in Antigua and Barbuda.

The main disagreement emerging from the responses appears to be less about whether schools should prepare students for serious security threats and more about how such exercises should be conducted, who should be informed beforehand and how realistic they should be allowed to become.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Public Backs Jennings Secondary’s Lockdown Drill Despite Ministry’s Criticism.