In the wake of the Peshawar massacre in which Tehreek-e-Taliban members attacked Army Public School, killing at least 145 people including 132 students, educational institutes were asked to enhance their security.
Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Division Barrister Usman Ibrahim on Saturday constituted a security monitoring team, headed by senior joint secretary Rukhsana Rehman, for school and colleges in Islamabad.
The team has been directed to submit a report regarding the measures that are required on an immediate basis to improve security.
To boost the confidence of students and parents, it was decided that the Islamabad IG will set up additional Rescue 15 lines so that this helpline would be immediately available.
It was further decided that CADD will call a meeting of principals of all colleges and schools in which the IG will brief them on tactical security measures.
Similarly, all schools and colleges will designate their own security officers, who will remain in contact with the local administration and law enforcement agencies. A CADD monitoring team will verify the credentials of all staff and security guards at schools to combat the threat of an ‘inside job’.
FDE DG Aamir Khawaja will provide the chief commissioner with a report on details of the number of gates and their condition, and the number of walls, barriers, and guards.
Furthermore, gatekeepers at schools will be trained by the Islamabad police to combat any emergency.
Ibrahim said that he will personally make regular visits to monitor the steps taken to enhance security. It was also suggested that CADD hire security personnel if the need arises.
In the same vein, the Islamabad police have also devised a strategy to improve security at schools through the cooperation with school administrations and special briefings for students.
“Security at schools is being improved in Islamabad after consultations with school administrations,” said Islamabad IG Tahir Alam Khan.
Talking to media at the inauguration ceremony for the new reporting room at Secretariat Police Station, Khan said that special attention was being paid to improve security at schools. The administrations have been told to appoint security officers in their respective schools and support staff including security guards and watchmen, he added.
He further stated that 20 inspectors have been assigned to brief students in schools during morning assemblies on how to deal with emergencies while ensuring their own safety. He said that special lectures will be delivered to boost the morale of students with a focus on how to observe and handle critical situations.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 24th, 2014.
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