When parents send their kids off to school, they expect to have them back in one piece, better off than they were when they left. They shouldn't have to worry about the safety of their children. Recent events worldwide, however, have given many parents and schools cause to worry and ask questions such as "will my child return safely today?", "will there be a security issue in the school today?" There has been a need for safety rules and programs to be revisited and revised to address growing concerns.

Fortunately, there are ways parents and school administration can make sure that schools are safe environments for both the students and staff. The specifics will vary depending on locale and government policies, but these are the general (minimum) steps that can be taken.

1. Schools should review their safety policies. From how emergency situations are handled, to expected student conduct. They should make this as clear as possible to staff, students and parents to avoid any sort of miscommunication. Repercussion for endangerment of lives and property due to the willful flaunting of the rules should be severe.

2. There should be regular PTA meetings so that parents can stay up to date with the school’s safety policies and follow up on any safety issues. These meetings will highlight any problems a child is facing. Parents should request for meetings with their children's teachers once or twice every school year if the school doesn’t already offer one.

3. Parents should encourage adequate and open communication with their children. They should encourage them to confide in them about their fears and worries, instead of hiding them and exacerbating the situation. Children should talk to an adult if they come across any unusual activity in school, or if they're being bullied or otherwise made to feel unsafe by anybody. Parents should also talk to their children about safety and how to keep themselves safe.

4. Technology should be employed to safeguard students. In our post about keeping children safe online, we talked about ways technology can be employed to ensure the safety of children online. Website filters can be used to block explicit and violent content, parents should ensure their minor children keep wholesome friends and ascertain the people with whom they chat online are exactly who they say they are.

5. Parents should duly inform the school about any health issues their child may be having. From allergies to drug reactions. Student's records should be properly updated with such data, as well as other bio-data like blood types. This comes in handy in case of emergencies.

6. The local community should organise programs aimed at sensitizing citizens on best safety practices. Neighbourhood watch groups should be established to provide an extra layer of security.

If you have any thoughts or more ways by which schools can be made safer environments for students and teachers, please share in the comments below.

Source: Exercise Book, the BlueBic blog.

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