New safety system in the classrooms...

Go to school without fear

by Umangi de Mel

Ten years back, the most severe problems encountered in schools were students making a big racket disturbing others or being stubborn with teachers pulling the most terrible stunts.

Five years back, the school authorities were faced with a dramatic increase in the frequency of substance abuse or stabbing, over trivial matters, and parents were grief-stricken.

But today, the scenario has changed for the worse; the looming threat of bomb explosions in schools due to terrorism certainly makes the past incidents seem like kindergarten stuff. The prevailing situation in Sri Lanka has given rise to rumours of bomb threats in every nook and corner, scaring the living daylights out of teachers and parents.

With a Damocles's sword hanging over their heads, parents still wonder how on earth they could send their children to school irrespective of the major impact it'll make on the latter, later on.

Regrettably, when it comes to rumours, there's very little reliable information to assist in determining the difference between a hoax and a real thing.

The million dollar question today being "are we to allow our future generation to be duds at home without education, giving in to these rumours and threats?", both government and school authorities seem to struggle to check that the security measures provided by them are adequate to ensure the safely of the kids.

Not divulging the exact safely measures the schools have taken for obvious security reasons, a few authorities spoke regarding the issue to the Sunday Observer.

Vigilance

Pronouncing his speculation about the matter, Susil Premajayanth, Minister of Education says that everyone should be vigilant, may it be even the smallest of children in school, "We've sent circulars, held workshops to educate children, teachers, parents and other committees. We have appointed security councils, cadets, scouts, prefects and old boys/girls to handle things.

Closing down schools is a joke. There are only 210 school days and closing it again means delaying a whole lot of other things, such as university admissions etc.

The ethnic war has been there for years, but Prabakaran didn't close a single school in the North East area. There's a certain safety system in schools now which won't be divulged for security reasons and it's quite back to normal.

"It is safe to go to school", says Pujith Jayasundara, DIG, Colombo, talking about school security and the safety measures that are being taken to safeguard schoolchildren.

"The people predict a lot, but those will only be predictions. We gain through past experience and we have strengthened our side. Of course, things can happen. It's just that not a single chance can be given by the security to the terrorists who'll only need one opportunity.

Looking at the present situation prevailing in Colombo, it's actually everyone's responsibility to be extra vigilant. From school kids to the managing director of a company will have to think about the security aspect. If you see any unusual incidents, the first thing you must do is to quickly come to a conclusion systematically and inform the police".

Speaking furthermore he says that they have taken necessary steps with the help of armed forces to prevent bloodshed, irrespective of race and religion.

Special safety measures

"In order to educate the schools on the special safety measures, all the school development societies were summoned and we've held a few meetings. Every school request is being entertained and we're ready to provide more if they require. But we need their support. Closing schools is not an option. In fact the schools have been closed enough. We shouldn't let these threats hinder the progress of their education.

He says he's quite satisfied with the steps they have taken to ensure the safety of thousands of schoolchildren. I feel they're quite satisfactory but if anyone has better ideas, they're most welcome and any armed force can come and assist us".

Speaking on behalf of Ananda College, B. A. Abeyratne, Principal says that the internal security groups are meeting up to take necessary actions to prevent any tragedy. "The minister held a meeting last Saturday at Royal College.

Our responsibility is to protect the students, while continuing the normal procedure in school. Closing down schools is not the solution since we won't know when it's safe enough to re-open. It's a simple act of being extra careful. Teachers, parents, old boys and school children must get together.

Special forces like police assist us. With all that, we still can't be hundred percent sure. We've got to face the present situation independently, and act responsibly.

B. L. Karunawathi, Principal Sujatha Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Matara says that she and her staff along with other committees have already taken ample measures to ensure the safety of the students.

"We were even taught about bombs during a three day seminar which was very productive. It was held by the education ministry with a massive participation from the forces and cadet officers.

As a parent, I might consider the chances of closing down the school, but as a principal it's a responsibility to go on working and safeguard their right for education as well as their right for life.

"Shantha Siri, Vice Principal, Richmond College, Galle reveals that they're quite aware of the situation and have been taking every possible step to protect the children.

"We've formed committees and teachers, together with parents, will be on duty in certain crucial areas.

The management has taken care of everything, and the police are always there to help. I think the forces should focus more on places where students tend to gather after school.

All I can say is that we've done our level best on 28 acres".

Prasanna Upashantha, Vice Principal, Royal College, Colombo says it's not easy providing hundred per cent safety. "We are fully aware of the prevailing situation and we, like all the other schools, have strengthened the security in and around the school and the vicinity, taking so many other measures to make sure our students will be safe.

It's absurd closing down the schools just because of mostly baseless rumours. We actually can't afford to close because, out of the 180 school days, we've already closed enough for many other things.

It's difficult to cover the syllabus. We will proceed as usual but under severe safety measures".

Shanthi Dias, Principal, Bishops' College says that they are located in a place where there's protection all the time.

Thoroughly opposing the idea of having to close down schools due to the current situation, she questions if the situation's ever going to be alright, "we've lived through it for years. It's not practical to close down schools. Life has to go on, and if a parent feels insecure, they can keep the child at home".

Everyone's responsibility

M. A. P. Fernando, Principal, Wesley College, Colombo says that he has strengthened the school security to a great extent, "We have the vigilance committee parents and teachers keeping close tabs. Though we don't have police officers covering us all the time, we've managed pretty well.

H. V. Prematillake, Principal Nalanda College feels that even the police can't cover the whole of Colombo, "They also have a certain limit and it may not be humanly possible to send their people to schools, from morn till night. We can't let the bomb threats and rumours take control of our lives. May it be national security or school security, it should be everyone's responsibility.

As a principal I've taken necessary actions with the help of the teachers, parents, old boys and prefects to make sure the students will be fine".