Kranti Vibhute reports on the extra security measures adopted by some schools in the wake of Mumbai terror attacks
Kranti Vibhute reports on the extra security measures adopted by some schools in the wake ofu00a0Mumbai terror attacksu00a0u00a0
J B Petit High School for Girls, Fort
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The school has increased the height of the compound wall to eight feet and is planning to raise it by two more feet. They have installed around 25 fire extinguishers and decided to conduct mock fire drills.
I K Bajaj, the administrative officer, said, "Though the school has not set up a disaster management cell, the peons will be trained in crisis management. Also, parents working in the police force and fire brigade will suggest workshops on different subjects."
A fire brigade officer visits the school regularly for checks. Apart from the main gate, the school has three other exits that can be used for evacuation in case of an emergency.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
Alexandra Girls' English Institute, Fort
The gates have been covered with metal plates. A peon at the main gate maintains a record of all visitors.
The school has installed 28 fire extinguishers and has two emergency exits.
Plans are in the pipeline to set up a disaster management cell and the administrative authorities have maintained a record comprising contact details ofu00a0 police personnel of nearby police stations.
Freny Mehta, the principal, said, "Since it's a girls school, I have to be more alert. The peons have been trained to operate fire extinguishers."u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
Cathedral and John Connon School, Fort
They have provided cellphones to attendants who accompany students in the school buses and have decided to deploy security guards on the buses. The contact numbers of Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) K L Prasad and his team have been circulated among parents. The security at the main gate of the school has also been tightened. Neville Unwala, the school administrator, said, "Emergency drills are conducted every year. There are two sirens in the school, one with the administrator and another with the principal to send out a warning in case of an emergency. We cannot build a wall around the school like other institutions since the building is a heritage structure. So, we are exploring other ways to tighten security."u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
Safety week
Mumbai's safety week, which ends today, is not restricted to road safety. During the week, the police conducted a meeting on safety with school principals from across the city.
Guide to crises
Education Inspector of South Zone, Suman Shinde, has released a book on disaster management, containing contact details of hospitals, fire brigades and police stations. The book contains guidelines that will help school authorities tackle crises such as riots, floods or terror attacks. The book will soon be distributed in all schools.u00a0u00a0u00a0
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