Govt seeks parents’ help for schools security

A standard operating procedure has been devised for security of schools in the city after several meetings among the Sindh governor, law enforcement agencies and education departments with other stakeholders, said Commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui at his office during a press conference on Saturday.

Additional Chief Secretary Education Fazlullah Pechoho, Additional IG Police Sindh Ghulam Qadir Thebo and Assistant Commissioner (General) Shahzaib Sheikh were also present on the occasion.

“Schools resuming from Monday should adopt security measure plan announced by the government,” he said. Siddiqui said the Sindh DG rangers had made a separate strategic plan for security and vigilance of schools, while the Sindh government announced to provide security to kids. “Insha Allah, no untoward situation would be faced.”

He said civil defence training had already been started in schools and it would continue after resumption of schools. Around 3,000 schools exist in the city and their safety and security should be audited regularly.

“I myself, additional IG police and additional chief secretary education would personally visit schools. The school administrations which think that their security is inadequate may take more time to start their schools,” the commissioner said.

Pechoho said the population of the city was very large so it was a big task to provide security to all the schools. Parents should come forward voluntarily to strengthen the security.

“Every 10 out of 300 parents should regularly stay in front of schools in turn during arrival and departure of schoolchildren to monitor security and regulate traffic flow. However, visibility of law enforcement agencies should be ensured within the proximity of 3km of schools,” he said.

He said all schools should include eight-foot high walls in a long-term plan. While, security clearance of all the staff including van drivers should be made from police right after opening of schools. Parents teachers associations of schools should also focus on security with other matters.

“Edibles and beverages should be checked and school administrations should ensure that children do not get out of schools during recess. Schools will not be allowed to function as a part-time marriage halls,” he said.

The additional secretary said people should immediately contact on the hotlines in case any suspicious person or activity was found around them. Pakistan Army: 1135, Sindh Rangers: 1101, Sindh Police: 15, Traffic Police: 915, Commissioner Karachi Control Room: 1299 and 021-99203443.

Thebo said nothing was more important than education, therefore, several meetings were held to devise a comprehensive plan. “Patrolling around cluster of schools should be expedited and we must remain alert to avert any untoward situation,” he said.

Replying a query, he said no intelligence report was received about any school, however, six higher educational institutes were declared sensitive. He said alertness would itself make things easy to safeguard schools.