Edu dept feels students secure

CHANDIGARH: The stabbing of class XI student Feroz Khan within his school premises at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 45, on Thursday is another addition to a series of mishaps that have been occurring within school premises over the years. While the degree and frequency of violent incidents in schools is increasing, the education department does not appear to be too concerned.
Even after the Thursday incident the department has failed to take a strict stand and only managed a cursory conversation with the police about improving security measures. Explaining his department's position, Ajoy Singh, director public instructions (schools), said, ''We are not planning any special measures as of now, but if the police comes up and tells that they want to do something we might think about it. I don't think we need more security in our schools as we are doing fine. To me the idea is absurd as I have children in my house and that does not mean that I will keep a security guard outside,'' he said.
He, however, admitted that there are certain security measures that schools need to take like raising boundary walls to certain heights, having CCTV cameras, and having a certain number of security guards. ''The implementations of all these things are under process and should be completed in the near future. The engineering department is already working on increasing the height of walls,'' he added.
''We have spoken to the police and have asked them to improve security measures. They will do what they can. We have asked them to improve vigilance as well,'' the DPI said.