Schools facing closure over lack of security

Islamabad: The federal capital’s private educational institutions not following the police’s security guidelines are facing closure by the district administration.

The police had directed the local privately-owned schools, colleges and universities to introduce the recommended security checks on campus for the protection of students and staff members against the possible terrorist attacks.

Noted among these security checks were the construction of a unscalable boundary wall of at least eight feet height topped off with two feet high concertina wire; deployment of trained armed guards on rooftops and at gate and stealth placement; provision of metal detectors to guards; installation of walk-through gates and closed-circuit television cameras with 15 days memory backup; presence of emergency exits on the premises, and verification of the particulars of the owners and drivers of private vans engaged by schoolchildren.

However, many private educational institutions have yet to follow the directives.

Now, the district administration has decided to examine security arrangements at all private schools, colleges and university in the city before ordering the closure of those not complying with the police’s security guidelines.

They will be allowed to resume classes only after ensuring foolproof security on campus. The exercise is likely to get underway tomorrow (Monday).