On January 5, a hoax phone call to a school at Kovalam soon spread like wildfire across the city, quickly resulting in utter panic and confusion as terrified parents thronged schools to pick up their children. As usual, by evening it became evident that it was all needless panic. But what the incident has highlighted is the need for the city schools to have a standard operating procedure (SOP) to deal with such emergencies. It took just few hours on January 5 for chaos to reign at the premises and the roads leading to most schools in the city.

Experts say that even if there were no bombs, chaos and the resulting stampede could cost lives. What is required is a systematic approach to deal with such emergencies. A standard operating procedure and preparatory drills for the students, teachers, parents, police and firemen is a must, say experts. In 2010, the Union Home Ministry framed SOP for schools during such emergencies. After the terror attack on a school in Pakistan, the ministry reiterated that staff, students and their parents of all schools receive proper training in SOP across the country...................Read more

Source: The New Indian Express