Punjab issues strict guidelines for all educational institutions

LAHORE: The Punjab government has announced new, strict guidelines for educational institutions across the province to safeguard students in the harsh winter weather.

Under the revised guidelines, every campus needs to have an eight-foot boundary wall with barbed wire on top, in addition to a complete security setup. The move aims to provide students with a more secure and controlled learning environment across the province.

Schools have been instructed to keep security guards, CCTV cameras, and webcams throughout. Installation of metal detectors with a panic button at entry points has now been made compulsory.

Only one gate can be kept open during the regular hours of the school, while staff members must be kept at the main entrance in order to keep a check on movements.

Similarly, the authorities have also included emergency preparedness as an essential component of the new rules. All institutions are required to arrange mock emergency drills with Rescue 1122 and Civil Defence.

Each building must carry clearly marked emergency exit routes, while water reservoirs should be installed in case of any emergency. The contact numbers for police rescue services and key administrators must be displayed in bold letters in the principal’s office and staff rooms.

The schools are also required to seek security clearance from the Special Branch before resuming operations. According to officials, these steps are vital in reinforcing campus safety and making sure that students and staff members are protected at all times.