LAHORE: The Government Punjab has ordered a province wide overhaul of security arrangements in educational institutions after an official audit revealed widespread gaps in compliance with safety protocols, raising concerns over the preparedness of schools to deal with potential security threats.
In a confidential letter the School Education Department Punjab said monitoring teams had, during recent visits, identified “serious deficiencies” in the implementation of security audits and standard operating procedures (SOPs) in both public and private institutions.
The directive, a copy which is available with Jang, marked “Most Important” has been circulated to all major public education bodies, prominent institutions and district authorities, instructing them to immediately address shortcomings and ensure “comprehensive and foolproof security arrangements” before the reopening of institutions.
The communication was addressed to senior officials of the Punjab Education Foundation, Punjab Daanish Schools and Centres of Excellence Authority and Punjab Education Initiatives Management Authority, along with principals of leading institutions such as Aitchison College, Sadiq Public School, Chand Bagh School and Divisional Public School Model Town, in addition to heads of cadet colleges and all chief executive officers of district education authorities across Punjab.
According to the letter, surveillance arrangements in a significant number of institutions were found to be inadequate. Authorities have been directed to expand CCTV coverage and install night vision cameras at all strategic locations to ensure round the clock monitoring and facilitate investigation in case of any untoward incident.
The department has also called for strengthening on ground security by ensuring proper training of guards in coordination with local police and deploying a maximum number of trained and where required, armed personnel at main entry points.
To improve oversight and situational awareness, institutions have been instructed to construct observation posts or watchtowers to monitor entrances, exits and surrounding areas. Weak or damaged boundary walls are to be reconstructed on an urgent basis, while all institutions must ensure an eight foot high perimeter wall with fencing and barbed wire to prevent unauthorised access.
Highlighting serious shortcomings in emergency preparedness, the department has made it mandatory for all institutions to conduct monthly mock drills and security awareness sessions. The letter notes that regular exercises are essential to enhance staff coordination and ensure an effective response in crisis situations.
The audit also pointed to a concerning shortage of screening equipment, particularly in the Gujranwala and Faisalabad regions, where the availability of metal detectors was found to be the lowest. Authorities have been directed to ensure that functional metal detectors are installed at all main entrances without delay.
Strict access management has been emphasised, with institutions required to operate a single entry and exit point during academic hours. All secondary access points must remain closed or under continuous monitoring to regulate movement within school premises.
The directive further calls for the installation of high intensity security lighting at vulnerable points to improve visibility and surveillance during night hours. Routine administrative measures including daily sweeping and cleaning of premises have also been stressed as part of maintaining a safe and secure environment.
Institutions have been instructed to prominently display SOPs and essential contact numbers, including emergency services and security personnel, in principals’ offices and staff rooms to ensure immediate access during emergencies. In addition, all schools have been directed to complete registration on the “Public Safety Mobile App” to improve coordination with law enforcement agencies.
The letter, issued by Director General (Monitoring and Evaluation) calls for urgent compliance and directs authorities to remove all identified deficiencies without delay.
The latest directive comes in the backdrop of long standing security concerns in educational institutions across Punjab following past incidents of violence and subsequent tightening of school safety protocols. Over the years, the provincial government has introduced a series of measures including mandatory boundary walls, deployment of guards and installation of surveillance systems to safeguard students and staff.
Officials said the renewed emphasis on strict compliance reflects the government’s concern that, despite existing guidelines, implementation has remained uneven, leaving critical gaps in institutional security. The department has now made it clear that ensuring robust and effective protection mechanisms is imperative to prevent any potential threat and to restore confidence in the safety of educational institutions across the province.
