ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda — The Ministry of Education has apologized after an unauthorized lockdown drill at Jennings Secondary School triggered alarm among parents and members of the public.

Video circulating online showed students running across the school compound while a masked figure carrying what appeared to be a rifle participated in a simulation designed to prepare students for a potential intruder emergency.

The Ministry said the exercise was organized by the school without prior approval or knowledge from education officials. It stressed that there was no actual armed intrusion at Jennings Secondary or any other school in Antigua and Barbuda.

Officials acknowledged that emergency preparedness drills can play an important role in protecting students, but said such exercises must be properly planned, coordinated and communicated to prevent unnecessary fear and confusion.

The Ministry apologized to students, parents, guardians and the wider public affected by the incident and said student and staff safety remains its priority.

The incident has renewed attention on how schools communicate and conduct emergency-response exercises involving simulated security threats.