Punjab Government fixes deadline to complete security arrangements in educational institutions

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Education Rana Mashud Ahmad Khan has fixed deadline of January 9 regarding the fulfilling of target of security arrangements for protection of educational institutions of Punjab against the possible terrorist attacks. The educational institutions failing to complete security arrangements in accordance with the SOPs of Home Department by January 12 will be sealed, he added.

He expressed these views while presiding over the meeting regarding security of educational institutions and examination centers today. The Minister told that every public and private educational institution in the province will appoint one focal person from its staff. He said that the focal person will be imparted necessary training through District Civil Defense and they will train their colleagues about first aid and emergency response.

He said that all schools and colleges should complete the work of construction of incomplete boundary walls, placing barbed wire over boundary walls, installation of CCTV cameras and providing the facility of metal detectors or walkthrough gates by January 12. He said that a four member committee is being constituted for supervision of this work in every district which will comprise a senior officer each from district police, Special Branch, Education Department and DCO office. He said that this committee will remain in touch with school councils and continue monitoring of security steps.

Rana Mashud Ahmad Khan told that construction work of boundary walls of 2900 govt. schools is continuing speedily and will be completed within next few days. He said that Punjab government has shortlisted 10 security companies of good repute for providing trained security guards to every school. He said that women security guards are being deployed in women education of institutions.