Still closed
Many schools in every province remain closed – not so much because of an extant threat but because of their inability to comply with the security requirements placed on them by police and government agencies. A circular sent out by DCOs to schools which have been categorized as ‘A-1’ security risks details the arrangements that are required for schools to take – and some of them are clearly going to present a significant current and future burden and one which is going to impact on fees. The schools that are affected are primarily in the private sector, and although they are fee-paying many of them barely cover their operating costs and some are required to operate on a strictly non-profit basis, particularly those schools operated by Christian religious orders.
Compliance with the requirements of the notification includes things like the installation of security portals and the raising of walls as well as the recruitment of more security guards. Simple electronic security portals cost a minimum of Rs375,000, walls are not raised in a day or even a week and there is now a national shortage of security guards arising from the current crisis. Even were new guards to be recruited they have to be trained and then armed. Licences have to be issued for their weapons and secure weapons storage built. There is a host of other details that go with enhancing armed security. The police everywhere are telling schools that schools are going to have to provide for their own security – simply because there are not enough resources within the police service anywhere for it to realistically be able to do this. Wealthier schools are going to find the money to enable compliance, poorer schools are going to struggle and some may be unable to reopen as a result. The private education sector is increasingly the option-of-choice for those who can afford it given the appalling condition of state schools, and once again it is those who are poorer (but not in poverty) who are to suffer. The rich will always get their children educated no matter what the cost. Those less fortunate but still struggling to better themselves suffer again.
