LAKKI MARWAT/BUNER: Police have asked the heads of state-run schools to ensure foolproof security of their institutions and follow security guidelines in letter and spirit.

During a meeting with heads of schools in Lakki Marwat at the police lines on Thursday, DPO Ali Akbar Shah said that challenge of providing security to schools would be tackled with joint efforts by police and educational institutions.

The principals and headmasters of primary, middle, high and higher secondary schools attended the meeting.

The meeting was convened to sensitise the heads of schools about the current security situation and brief them about the standard operation procedure and security requirements of educational institutions.

Meetings held in Lakki, Buner to review security arrangements

Assistant Commissioner Sher Alam Khan, DEO Haziqur Rehman, DDEO Mohammad Shiraz, SDEO Ikramullah Khan, ADOs Nisar Mohammad and Hashim Khan and ASDEOs also attended the meeting.

Mr Ali asked the principals and headmasters not to allow pushcart vendors to stand near the buildings of their respective schools. He also urged them to remove dumps of garbage lying near the boundary walls of the schools.

Mr Ali said that besides patrolling the area, police would keep close liaison with the heads of schools to help them to improve security arrangements.

In Buner, a meeting was also held at the auditorium of Abdul Wali Khan University campus in Swari on Thursday to ensure security of educational institutions.

The officials of law enforcement agencies and principals and headmasters of private and public sector educational institutions attend the meeting. DPO Syed Khalid Hamdani, district nazim Dr Obaidullah, acting DC Shahab Hameed and DEO Hanifur Rehman addressed the meeting.

The heads of educational institutions shared their views with police officials about enhancing security measures at educational institutions.

The DPO told the heads of schools to raise boundary walls of educational institutions to eight feet, install strong gates with a single entry door, recruit trained and well-equipped watchmen and make sure search of school buildings before entry of students.

The DPO said that educational institutions should fulfil security requirements before Feb 11, 2016 when the schools would reopen in Malakand division.

He said that training programme would be arranged for watchmen as well students and teachers to cope with any eventuality. He said that arms licences would be issued to watchmen and teachers.

The district nazim on the occasion announced Rs60 million for security of educational institutions in the district. He said that police and elected representatives would visit schools to encourage students and staff.

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2016