Under fear: BISE urges parents not to panic about water poisoning scare

Education board cautioned school admins to be careful of terrorists

PESHAWAR: The Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Peshawar has clarified its stance on a notification issued earlier this week, saying they did not intend to generate panic among parents and students.

The notification, issued on February 1, stated water tanks of education institutes could reportedly be poisoned by miscreant elements.

Speaking to The Express Tribune on Saturday, BISE Peshawar Chairman Dr Muhammad Shafi Afridi said they issued the notification to sensitise school principals on the matter. This was done as rumours began to spread in Punjab that terrorists could change their strategy and poison water tanks of schools.

“The notification did not mean to panic students and parents,” he said.

Although the notification stated that the news of poisoning water tanks could not be true, it managed to spread panic on social media and parents started worrying for the lives of their children. A large number of teachers became apprehensive and asked students not to drink water from the school tank.

According to Afridi, people misunderstood the notification that triggered panic among people.

“I request opinion makers to use social media to spread the right message and not instil fear among people,” he said.

Afridi clarified the notification contained information for everyone so necessary precautions can be taken.

Helplessness 

However, after the attack on Army Public School on December 16, 2014 and on Bacha Khan University, Charsadda on January 20, parents cannot help but be worried over such rumours.

After the notification was issued, parents started feeling insecure for their children while teachers felt unsafe at their respective educational institutes.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, University of Peshawar Psychology Department Chairperson Professor Dr Erum Irshad said the attacks on APS and BKU has affected the studies of students.

She added in a trouble-filled and fearful environment, students cannot concentrate on their lectures.

“All the students are studying under fear and they do not even feel safe within their educational institutes,” Irshad added. “Security-related trainings at educational institutes and repeated discussions over the security situation can also have an impact
on students.”

Irshad suggested security issues should not be discussed in front of students.

“They should instead be made to partake in extra-curricular activities,”
she added.

However, parents have a different view when it comes to sending their children to school.

Faiz Muhammad, a parent, told The Express Tribune after BISE Peshawar issued the notification they have become more nervous and even asked their children not to drink water in school and instead take a water bottle from home.

“Sometimes I think that [my children’s] lives are more precious than their education,” he said. “I prefer not sending them to school.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th, 2016.