How teachers should handle students in cases of terror attacks, emergencies
There have been many cases of terror attacks in schools in several parts of the country recently, leading to chaos and the loss of many students.
The recent abduction of 110 schoolgirls in Dapchi resulted in commotion as students scampered for safety in different directions.
An attack of a school in Ogun state by a mad man who killed two four-year-old pupils was also said to have led to commotion, as concerned parents stormed the school to pick their children.
The panicky reaction to these incidents could have led to more loss of students and teachers could have done better to lessen the risk.
With the growing insecurity in the country heightened by an overwhelming pupils’ population, there is need to awaken our security consciousness and preparedness.
Here are ways teachers and authorities in schools can ensure students are well organised in emergency situations:
Ensure school perimeters are well fenced and guarded
Students of several public schools are vulnerable to attacks because the schools are not well guarded, making it harder for authorities to properly watch over them.
Ensure that students remain seated together as a class at all times
This makes it easier for authorities to successfully identify and evacuate all students to a safe haven ahead of time.
There should be adequate public address system
Students should be able to know when there are emergencies in due time. The authorities must monitor, provide updates, and give instructions to pupils and teachers to stay in or return to indoor shelter areas.
There should be emergency meeting points and alternative places of safety
School authorities should make provision for all students to assemble in serious emergency situations, as well as alternate safe havens which would be communicated to parents.
