ISLAMABAD: Ten-year-old Huzaifa Asif, a student of Islamabad Model School for Boys, G-7/3, was excited to see his friends on Monday morning after an extended winter vacation. However, he was disappointed to see only five boys had come to class.

“We discussed the attack on Army Public School, Peshawar. But we are not scared; terrorists will not stop us from coming to school. I hope my friends also come back soon,” he said.

Many schools in and around Islamabad and Rawalpindi reopened on Monday, after the extended winter break was announced following the deadly attack on a school in Peshawar which left close to 150 dead. On the first day, attendance in schools remained low and many schools had not completed the required security arrangements.

Meanwhile, schools in cantonment areas of Rawalpindi and in Golra area were not allowed to reopen.

In Islamabad, on the opening day police officers visited 51 schools to deliver lectures to students and teachers on preparing for emergencies and ways to improve security.

State Minister for Capital Administration and Development Division Barrister Usman Ibrahim expressed dissatisfaction with the security arrangements made by schools in the federal capital and directed the Federal Directorate of Education to take steps to improve security.

In Rawalpindi Cantonment, there was confusion on Monday morning as Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) abruptly announced further extension of winter vacation till January 15. Schools were not able to communicate the message to parents and students and so many showed up to attend classes, only to be told to go back home.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Cantonment Board Abdul Wahab said the decision to extend winter vacation was taken late Sunday night and schools failed to inform students.

He said that the cantonment board never directed the Punjab Government Education Department to keep their schools in cantonment areas closed. “We have nothing to do with the closure of Punjab government-run schools,” he said.

RCB also did not allow private schools in the Golra area to open.

“Today all private schools opened. But around two dozens of our schools, which are located in the boarder area between Islamabad and Rawalpindi, were ordered by the cantonment board to remain closed,” said Dr Afzal Babur, Private School Network president.

In Chakwal, most educational institutions opened on Monday with many not having completed the required security arrangements. Government Post Graduate College, Chakwal, however, could not open as the construction of its boundary wall is still underway.

According to a report regarding security arrangements prepared by the district government, (a copy of which is available with Dawn) of the 21 institutions listed in the highest security sensitivity category, 19 have failed to install walkthrough gates, while installation of Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) has not even begun at 12 institutions. Nine institutions have not been fenced with barbed wire.

Government Cadet College, Choa Saidan Shah, also opened without a boundary wall. The hilly terrain around the college means the wall will be expensive to construct and the college does not have the required funds.

In Taxila and Wah Cantt, schools reopened on Monday but attendance remained low as parents are still fearful for their children’s security. While federal government schools and private schools have made the required security arrangements, many schools under the provincial government are yet to complete them.

On the first day of the school, many parents were seen observing the new security arrangements that some schools have adopted.

In Gujar Khan, the tehsil administration ordered the closure of those private schools and colleges that lacked proper security arrangements.

Nazia Parveen Sodhun, the assistant commissioner of Gujar Khan, visited various schools and colleges of the tehsil to review security.

She found Alhijra Secondary School and College, Punjab College, Fauji Foundation School, Askari School, Government Secondary school for Girls and Jajja Cadet College lacking proper security arrangements.

Talking to Dawn, Ms Sodhun said every effort would be made to ensure protection of students.

Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2015

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