A historical day in the public education system passed without incident yesterday as security guards were stationed at high schools throughout the Island.

The guards -- some in uniforms, others in plain clothes -- symbolised teachers' concern about increasing violence at schools.

The Education Ministry decided to place guards at schools after some 500 teachers abandoned classes last Tuesday morning to attend an emergency meeting at Warwick Secondary where one of their colleagues was brutally attacked by a suspended student.

Mathematics teacher Victor Coggin required hospital treatment for facial injuries -- including 15 stitches to his forehead -- as a result of the attack by the 15-year-old male student who tried to ride onto the school property without permission.

Mr. Coggin was resting at home yesterday and unavailable for comment.

Most of the high school principals also could not be reached for comment yesterday. But Sandys Secondary head teacher Melvyn Bassett told The Royal Gazette staff and students at that school clearly understood that the guards were there for their protection.

A meeting was held with the two guards from International Security & Investigations Ltd., teachers, and the school's head boy and head girl to discuss the guards' purpose.

Mr. Bassett said: "I think the message that those officers are there for their security and to keep intruders out was clear.'' However, he stressed the guards -- who were asked not to wear their uniforms yesterday -- would not replace teachers in administering discipline.

"Teachers have been assured that they are still expected to carry out their duties,'' Mr. Bassett said. "The officers are just being used on the perimeters.'' Whitney Institute principal Gail Graham said students and staff were also comfortable with the uniformed guards stationed there.

Education Minister Jerome Dill is expected to visit high schools this week to hear teachers' concerns.

He is also scheduled to meet with the suspended Warwick Secondary student and his guardians this week.

Warwick Secondary is seeking to have the boy -- who was sent to the Education Ministry's Learning Support Centre at Woodlands in Pembroke after assaulting the same teacher some two months ago -- expelled from the school system. An initial meeting was held on the matter last Wednesday.