Precautions: Schools with poor security advised to defer opening

DERA GHAZI KHAN:

As many as 8,798 schools in Dera Ghazi Khan division have been advised not to reopen until they have met the security guidelines issued by the government.

Addressing a meeting on Friday, Dera Ghazi Khan Commissioner Muhammad Saqib Aziz said school administrations had been asked to activate scouts, conduct emergency drills and display emergency contact numbers in classrooms.

He said under orders from the provincial government, a quick response force would be set up in each division of the Punjab.

“Combating terrorism is a great challenge,” he said. “The government will root out this menace with vigour.”

He said the district administration was finalising security arrangements for schools under the guidelines issued by the provincial government.

Regional Police Officer Rehmatullah Niazi said training for security guards, peons, teachers and other school staff was in the final stages. He said the district administration was deliberating on a plan for arming school staff, issuing arms licences and training them.

He said 582 schools in Dera Ghazi Khan, 135 schools in Layyah, 221 schools in Muzaffaragarh and 48 schools in Rajanpur had not met security guidelines.

He said security cameras were being installed and boundary walls being constructed around these schools.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 9^th, 2015.