TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The Education Department has asked the state police to identify prominent schools situated in respective police stations so as to have a ready reference in a possible extremist attack. The department is acting on the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), released by the Centre to deal with an attack on schools, as this is one of the most vulnerable of institutions under the terror radar.
“The local police should identify or make a list of prominent/high profile schools in their jurisdiction for the purpose of SOP,” the circular mentions. As per the SOP guidelines and procedures to thwart any such attempt, the respective police stations along with the school managements have been asked to carry out reconnaissance of the institutions to set up an operation to tackle possible contingency in future.
So also, the school authorities are at liberty to conduct mock drill and inform the students, teaching and the non-teaching faculties about their role during any such eventuality. “They can also include local police in their mock drill,” it says.
The SOP states that bold terrorist attacks are undertaken to gain widespread media and public attention, and as such places with large footfalls, malls, multiplexes and schools are the most vulnerable. “This necessitates having in place SOP defining the role of officials of concerned agencies to counter such attack in schools,” reads the ministry’s six-page note.
In addition to this, the schools are also asked to undertake all preventive measures from constructing protected infrastructure to deploying at least three guards round the clock, displaying police control room and local police stations’ numbers, ensure illumination of the premises, install close circuit television cameras, fix concertina wires above the boundary walls, install alarm system, among other steps.
“School gates are to be kept closed immediately after the arrival of children till the dispersal of children begins, to prevent any easy intrusion. All teachers/staff should be briefed properly of any possible threats,” the SOP’s general suggestions mention.
It also advises schools to issue temporary I-cards to labourers working in the school premises, which has to be routinely checked by the guards. Likewise, the antecedents of all the new staff members should be verified. The SPO further details how to carry out mock drills to prepare the school during any emergencies like kidnapping of children, random firing with intention of mass killing and communication with parents to ensure they come to a pre-identified central location and do not rush to schools to create obstructions.
INFOBOX
Schools’ preventive measures
Carry out reconnaissance of institution
Set up operation to tackle possible contingency
Construct protected infrastructure
Deploy at least three guards round the clock
Display police control room and local police stations’ numbers
Ensure illumination of the premises
Install close circuit television cameras
Fix concertina wires above the boundary walls
Install alarm system
Conduct mock drill
Inform the students and staff of their role in an emergency
