President of the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), in Portland, Dr Derrick Deslandes says the institution is preparing a proposal to submit to the Education Ministry requesting assistance to improve campus security.

This follows the reported sexual assault of a student on Sunday.

Reports are that the female student was raped by unknown assailants .

She is receiving support and counselling.

The Portland police are investigating the incident.

Upset students staged a protest yesterday calling on the school administrators to implement better security measures, pointing out that the security in place is ineffective.

Speaking to IRIE FM News this morning Dr Deslandes said the issue with school security has been a longstanding one.

He told IRIE FM News that the issue is due to the lack of adequate financial support among other things.

He explained that while the school is in need of a perimeter fence there are internal security solutions which must also be considered.

According to Dr Deslandes, there is a train line that runs underneath the campus as well as gullies that run through the campus.

He said the school has moved to put security measures in place but these are quickly destroyed by perpetrators.

Dr Deslandes said in relation to Sunday’s incident the school has opted to increase the number of security officers on campus as well as begin the process to acquire solar cameras for increased surveillance.

He said he hopes the proposal which is to be sent to the ministry some time today will help the school to garner the support needed to resolve the security issue which he said has been plaguing the school for more than three decades.

Dr Deslandes said the school has been working with the affected student and the police to bring the perpetrators to justice.

He also assured students that everything is being done to ensure they are safe.

The CASE President said works will be conducted between Friday when school closes and January when classes are expected to resume, to guarantee increased security.