Barahona school mandates transparent backpacks to improve security

The Instituto Tecnológico Federico Henríquez y Carvajal in Barahona will mandate the use of transparent backpacks starting next school year. This measure aims to enhance security and prevent violence within the institution, which serves between 725 and 765 students.

Director Deicy Alejandrina Mesa Espinosa stated the decision was made in coordination with the management committee, the discipline committee, and the Parents, Mothers, Tutors, and Friends Association (Apmae) following several incidents. Random searches have previously uncovered knives, electric stun guns, vapes, hookahs, alcohol hidden in plastic bottles, pepper spray, and other dangerous objects.

The primary goal of the transparent backpacks is to facilitate the supervision of items brought to the center and reduce the risk of students carrying objects that could be used to attack peers, teachers, or staff. Mesa Espinosa noted that approximately 90% of parents have expressed satisfaction with the measure and clarified that the school has no commercial agreements with backpack manufacturers, allowing families to purchase them at their preferred locations.