LAHORE, March 25: The St Anthony's High School, which was closed after suffering damage in the suicide bombing of the adjacent FIA headquarters was reopened on Tuesday amidst fears being expressed by parents and morale-boosting steps by the school administration.

Children too seemed apprehensive in the morning but later indulging in the routine activities and the company of classmates made them forget the bombing like a nightmare.

The day began with almost all parents seeking assurances from the school management about the safety of the building and of their children. They dropped their children after getting the assurances but still praying for their safety.

The school activity began with Principal Noel Cyprian giving a morale-boosting speech at the morning assembly, encouraging children to concentrate on their studies and trust in God. "One should prepare for odds in life which must continue," he told the children.

Later, all teachers in charge gave similar advice to their pupils, making them explain verbally and in writing how they spent their holidays to divert their attention from the dreadful reminders of the bombing. They also told them how to handle an emergency without getting panicked.

Mr. Noel said he had called a meeting of school staff on Monday to boost their morale and remind them of their responsibility of protecting children in case of any emergency situation.

He said he had engaged a qualified architect to inspect every inch of the school building. Even fans and ventilators were checked to ensure whether they were properly fixed for the safety of children.

He said almost all windowpanes in the school were broken under the impact of the blast which had been replaced. The government or any other body had not given anything to the school for repairs as yet despite promises, he added. “It's costly but we are doing whatever we can to keep the school ready for children,” he said.

Parents took a sigh of relief when they found their children coming safe and sound to them at the main gate at the closing hour.

Inside the main office at least six unclaimed bags of schoolchildren were lying in one corner with slips carrying their names and classes pasted on them. It was stated that the bags belonged either to those injured badly, or those who had gone outstation during the holidays.

A large number of students had gone home on the day of the blast while leaving their satchels in the badly-damaged classrooms in panic. But their parents had collected them afterwards with the help of the school administration.

— Intikhab Hanif