Security and Safety concerns in schools

Security and Safety concerns in schools

The issue of Security and safety concerns in schools has become important in the society today due to the changing norms, technological growth and a surprising increase in violent behaviour in various stratas of the society.

This issue is of utmost importance in schools also because it is these institutions that house the future citizens of the world. Anything that happens here affects the child, his family, the country and the entire world. The changing scenario of today demands that the same efforts and care that has been taken in preparing the syllabi of schools, be extended to the issue of security and safety in the educational institutions. In my view, the schools of today must be better equipped to prevent the occurrence of any such mishaps and with means to deal with them if unfortunately such an occurrence takes place.

Here are a few suggestions:

First Aid: A widely used term, but the knowledge about which is, unfortunately, incomplete when it comes to practical training. All the members of the educational institution should be trained about the basic first aid procedures to followed in case of an emergency. Trained members should be there in every classroom and distributed throughout the institution.

Emergency Evacuation Plans and Mock Drills : Due to the unpredictable nature of so many mishaps that can occur, sometimes, immediate evacuation of the place is required. This exercise may prove to be futile if evacuation is not carried out immediately. For this purpose, evacuation plans should be made and practised in the form of ‘Mock Drills’ at regular intervals. The mock Drills should also be for various issues (Short circuit, Water poisoning, Leakage of poisonous gas, fire, terrorist attack, natural calamities like earthquake etc.)

Regular Interaction with the local police and fire stations: Such an interaction educates the students about various security and safety issues and methods to deal with them. The various traffic rules could be implemented by educating the students who would then talk to their family about it and even check their parents if they were not following any traffic rules.

Checking the visitors who are entering the school premises: This exercise is of utmost importance to prevent the entry of any unauthorised and antisocial elements within the school premises.

Fire and smoke alarms, Hooters, emergency exits: Like any other organisation, a school should also be equipped with these emergency detection and prevention systems. The government should make laws for these so that they are implemented without fail.

Growing Plants to attain Nirvana

Planting and preservation of trees are made sacred in religious functions.
The Varah Purana says,
"One who plants one peepal, one neem, one bar, ten flowering plants or creepers, two pomegranates, two oranges and five mangos, does not go to hell."

In the Charak Sanhita, destruction of forests is taken as destruction of the state, and reforestation an act of rebuilding the state and advancing its welfare. Protection of animals, too is considered a sacred duty.

The Vedic Hymn to the Earth, the Prithvi Sukta in Atharva Veda, is unquestionably the oldest and the most evocative environmental invocation. In it, the Vedic seer solemnly declares the enduring filial allegiance of humankind to Mother Earth: 'Mata Bhumih Putroham Prithivyah: Earth is my mother, I am her son.' Mother Earth is celebrated for all her natural bounties and particularly for her gifts of herbs and vegetation. Her blessings are sought for prosperity in all endeavours and fulfilment of all righteous aspirations. A covenant is made that humankind shall secure the Earth against all environmental trespass and shall never let her be oppressed.

Environmental Policy

Our school is committed to provide an eco-friendly environment for imparting educational services, while living within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems.

We are determined to work towards preventing pollution and preserving & conserving water and other resources, reduce waste and commit to recovery and recycling as opposed to disposal wherever feasible.

Our ultimate goal is to stop, and eventually reverse, the accelerating degradation of our planet’s natural environment, and to help build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature!

Eco Pledge- The pledge taken by all members of the Environment Club

Eco-Pledge

I promise to work towards improving the existing quality of the environment.
I will work towards preventing pollution and preserving & conserving water and other resources, reduce waste and commit to recovery and recycling as opposed to disposal wherever feasible.
I realize that I am responsible and affected by each and every action that effects the environment in and around our educational institution.
I take this pledge today, i.e. on _________
in order to stop, and eventually reverse, the accelerating degradation of our planet’s natural environment, and to help build a future in which all of us can live in harmony with nature!