Secure schools

A change is visible in the security procedures and drills at educational institutions after the winter vacations. However, there are many glaring deficiencies that need to be bridged. For example, the outer peripheries of educational institutions are not guarded effectively. No one in the institutions seems to be prepared for a response towards a forced entry by miscreants through normal entry gates, particularly at the opening and closing of school timings. School administrations and the security staff are generally clueless about this aspect.
A mix of uniformed and civilian-dressed security staff need to be employed around the vicinity of an education institution. The civilian-dressed staff should act as a school intelligence team. Security staff/guards are rather untrained and mostly from a civilian background. Weapons are not tested for firing, metal detectors are faulty and the functioning of walk-through gates is highly questionable. Employees like canteen staff, peons, etc, are unverified. The police and security agencies need to help schools in this regard.
Naveela Sajjad
Karachi