Security clampdown urged

As a parent and head teacher I’ve visited many schools on the island and it always strikes me just how easy it is for adults to gain access to the spaces where children are learning, playing and just generally doing their thing.

When you visit schools, there is usually the obligatory bored looking security guard who gives you a pass without even looking at your CPR and once he’s fulfilled his duty, you’re in and free to wander from classroom to classroom, playground to playground and to talk to as many children as you like - amazing. 

Obviously, not all private schools are like this but, in my opinion, most of them are and nobody seems to be doing anything about it. For example, I tested my theory out in four private schools last week with fees that ranged from very expensive to easily affordable and even though the campuses and quality of education varied enormously, the one thing that they had in common was their lazy attitude toward child protection. 

In every school I went to, my CPR was taken and a badge was given without questioning who I was or why I was there. Not one of the schools’ security staff phoned ahead to see if I had an appointment or even to check if I had a legitimate reason for being there and all of them just waved me through.

This is where things get a little scarier. Once I was inside the various schools with my visitor’s badge and with full access to children of all ages, I passed many members of staff in each establishment, (at least I assumed that’s who they were) and never once was I stopped, questioned as to my reason for being there or asked if I needed any help.

It would seem that the visitor badges given to me at Reception acted like an invisibility cloak that absolved all staff members and school owners of their responsibilities regarding student safety and wellbeing.

So with whom does the buck stop when it comes to the safety and security of children and staff in schools?  

In my opinion it stops with the Ministry for Education who should be insisting that school owners have a minimum level of security in their schools preventing visitors from having such easy access to students and staff on campus.

In other countries around the world these basic expectations of safety and security are seen as the norm, but sadly they are also born of school tragedies because, of course, it’s easy to shut the stable door once the horse has bolted.

I would like to see this issue taken much more seriously in Bahrain before tragedy strikes here and people start asking the question why nothing was done earlier. 

No school around the world that has experienced school tragedies ever expected it to happen to them. Our children and grandchildren attend schools and nurseries on the island yet their basic right of safety is, in my opinion, being ignored and that is unacceptable. 

I urge you to think of your own child’s school and consider the safety precautions in place. Are they good enough? How easy is it for you to gain access to the campus and does anybody challenge you once you are there.

If, after considering it, you are underwhelmed by the seriousness with which your child’s school takes the welfare of your child, then make a fuss and ask why. 

If nothing changes, then consider whether that is the right school for you because you can be absolutely certain that rather than a tragedy occurring the only thing that will make school owners take notice is when customers vote with their feet.

l Editor’s note: Do you agree? Email your views to editor@gulfweekly.com