Police Forces in Public Schools? Plans to Reduce Violence in Schools

    As the issue of youth violence and gangs continues to escalate in El Salvador officials are forced to focus their attention on preventative measures.
   El Salvador's National Education Council consulted the public on ways to counter youth violence. The public's response? Public School Police Force. The idea is that a special police force would be created a part from the National Police as the public was not able to define what role the PSPF would have outside of schools. This PSPF would attend special training on human rights and would "work according to the reality of the school and not stigmatize young people" (El Mundo). Unfortunately, the results of a consensus show that the likeliness of a policy being created in favor of this recommendation is obsolete.
   Another recommendation presented to counter the violence, is to not change what happens in schools, but to change what happens outside of schools to replicate school public safety. And in addition to this, it is suggested that agreements be made with private companies to provide work to the youth through internships and part-time jobs.
   The Ministry of Education has responded saying it will continue its efforts to reduce violence in schools. But for now, it will continue to be through the monitoring and control of teachers and principals.