PM Nawaz wants better security for schools

It isn’t enough to raise the height of walls and install razor-wire around them, says premier

ISLAMABAD:

Almost a month after the terror assault on Bacha Khan University near Peshawar, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called for escalated security measures for educational institutions in the country.

The instruction came even as the prime minister claimed that a successful operation had rooted out the scourge of terrorism to a great extent.



Describing terrorism as a serious threat, the premier questioned the measures adopted by educational institutions in the wake of deadly terror attacks in the country as he inaugurated the first-ever Montessori section at a public school.

In a swipe at the inadequacy of steps taken so far, the premier said it wasn’t enough to raise the height of walls and install razor-wire around them.

Instead, the prime minister said that the overall security set-up needed to be improved.

On January 20, 2016, terrorists had stormed the Bacha Khan University in Charsadda and went on a rampage. It had followed a similar attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar on December 16, 2014, in which 147 people – mostly students – had been killed.

The attacks, and a subsequent warning by a Taliban splinter group, had prompted the federal and provincial governments to issue guidelines to schools on beefing security. The Punjab government had announced closure of all public and private schools for three days at the end of January on the pretext of cold wave, while all army schools in country were also shut for this period.



While visiting the newly set up Montessori section set up at the Islamabad Model School for Boys in sector F-8/3 (renamed to Azaan Shah Shaheed School – after the student killed in the attack on APS Peshawar), Nawaz said that it would provide quality education to toddlers in a friendly environment with a focus on learning through playful and colourful activities.

He added that resources will be diverted to upgrade education and health facilities for the public across the country.

The model school is one of five government institutions in the federal capital where Montessori sections are being set up including at schools in sectors F-7, F-10, Sohaan and Khanna Daak. Establishing Montessori sections is part of the premier’s education reform programme under which 422 schools and colleges administered by Federal Directorate of Education will be upgraded.

So far, 22 schools have been upgraded while the remaining will see reforms over the next two years.

Addressing students and teachers after inaugurating the school, Nawaz said that an improved curriculum was vital to help the young generation excel as he stressed the need for enhancing the capacity-building of teachers to ensure provision of quality education.



Nawaz said that his government was working on addressing key issues, one of which was load-shedding of electricity. He said that power shortage had considerably declined and assured that it would be eliminated in two years.

On health, Nawaz said that his health insurance programme needy patients were being provided free treatment.

While reviewing other renovated sections of the school, Nawaz appreciated the overall improvement brought including a new science laboratory, computer room with new computers, library and a play area with new swings, slides and an Astroturf. He, however expressed his displeasure at the standard of the basketball court and usage of glossy tiles on the stairs and directed improvement within the same cost.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 20^th, 2016.