Ludhiana: The absence of security guards in primary government schools of the district has raised safety concerns among parents and students. As observed by the TOI, various children in front of primary schools were seen crossing roads on their own during busy traffic hours as there was no security guard at school gates. When checked with some school officials, they stated that it was a matter of safety concern, but they could not hire anyone for the security job as there was no such post announced for these schools. Meanwhile, in primary government schools, where children study from nursery to Class V, does not have any school official or non-teaching staff concerned to look after them after the school gets over and when the students leave the school building. The situation has led to a rise in safety concerns and has also left many parents questioning how the safety of students can be ensured during the school hours, when the students are around the school after it gets over and in the surrounding areas. When discussed with the primary school officials of the district, including teachers, head teachers and parents, they stated that if the education department, authorities and government officials took the initiative, security guards could be hired just like other non-teaching staff members.Officials from the education department confirmed that there were total 996 primary government schools in Ludhiana district, but no post for the security guard or a campus manager was available for primary schools. However, the government high schools and senior secondary schools having a strength of 500-plus students have security guards. “Sometimes the teachers are busy with academic work and schedule of the school and when the school gets over, children run as fast as possible to leave the school. The authorities concerned should also consider posts of security guard or campus manager for primary government schools for children’s safety,” said a primary government school teacher.“The state government and the education department are putting in their best efforts to provide best facilities for the students in government schools of Punjab. However, there is no such post of security guard and campus manager in government primary schools. Hopefully the best decision will be taken by the government and higher authorities considering the situation,” said Manoj Kumar, deputy district education officer (primary), Ludhiana.
