By Faizan Khan
LAHORE: The Punjab education department has banned morning assemblies in all public and private schools as a precautionary measure following heightened security concerns linked to ongoing clashes with Afghanistan. The Home and School Education departments issued directives requiring schools to strengthen security immediately. District officials have instructed schools to ensure CCTV cameras are operational, deploy security guards at gates and surrounding areas, and assign teachers to support security duties. Main gates must remain closed during school hours, with only one central entry point in use. Emergency drills, phased evacuation plans, and awareness campaigns for students are to be conducted regularly. The circular also mandates the installation of eight-foot boundary walls with barbed wire, CCTV cameras, metal detectors, and panic buttons. Any suspicious activity is to be reported without delay.
Punjab Teachers Union Secretary General Rana Liaquat Ali warned that such measures cannot fully protect schools from threats like suicide attacks, noting that many schools lack trained and armed security personnel. He also highlighted financial constraints in schools, making it difficult for them to implement security measures independently.
Meanwhile, the construction of the Rawalpindi District Educational Complex has been completed at an estimated cost of Rs3.5 billion. Two floors of the complex, located at Government High School Madrasa Millia, Satellite Town F-Block, have been formally handed over to the District Education Authority. Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema ordered the immediate handover, allowing offices scattered across the city to operate under one roof. In the first phase, the office of the Chief Executive Officer of the District Education Authority will relocate next week, followed by other administrative offices. The complex is designed to improve service delivery and provide a more organised environment for teachers, staff, and citizens. CCTV cameras and biometric attendance systems will be installed to enhance monitoring and efficiency. CEO Education Tariq Mahmood thanked the Deputy Commissioner for facilitating the handover.
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