The police had sent a circular to schools and colleges, asking them to strengthen security in their premises, following the Peshawar school terror attack that killed 145, including 132 kids
It’s been almost a month since the deadly terror attack on a Peshawar school that killed 145 people, including 132 children. Following this, the education department as well as police had sent a circular asking schools and colleges to beef up security measures in their premises.
After the attack in the Peshawar school, the police had sent a circular asking schools and colleges to beef up their security measures. File pic for representation
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In the past couple of weeks, a series of meetings have been held between the local police and school principals, discussing various ways through which the security measures can be implemented in schools. “The police is regularly contacting all schools to keep a tab on the progress. We are also clearing their doubts, as and when needed.
Recently, many school principals in south Mumbai were brought together by the local police to discuss the necessary security changes every school needs to make, and this has been quite helpful,” said Fr Francis Swamy, coordinator of Jesuit Schools of Bombay.
City police started with conducting a basic recce of schools and after a couple of weeks, in the last week of December, a circular similar to one sent by the Ministry of Home Affairs (see box) was sent to schools and colleges of the city. The circular also states different evacuation methods and action that can be taken under various circumstances.
Some raise objections
Many aided schools, however, have raised an objection to these security measures. “Aided schools barely have money to hire teachers or build toilets, and the management is investing money for the same. How are we supposed to raise money to hire more security guards?
Also, the circular clearly states that we can’t charge extra money from parents to implement these security measures. So where are we supposed to get the money from?” asked Fr Jude Fernandes, principal of Stanislaus High School, Bandra, one such school.
He added that many aided schools have contacted the police to discuss this issue and they are hoping that the education department will take this matter seriously as well.
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