Schools cautious after Gurgaon shootout

NEW DELHI: Delhi schools are on guard after the recent shootout in a Gurgaon school, but principals do not want students and teachers to discuss it in classrooms.

“This isn’t a situation where children are under threat. Keeping in view their age we have to refrain from talking about it with children. The less said the better because constant discussions will make them curious. Some of them may actually try to repeat the act in curiosity and adventurism,” said GS Negi, principal of Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan.

Though city schools have assured greater vigilance, police have washed its hands off from the problem. “There are no new guidelines being issued to schools in wake of the incident. We have our regular interactions with school authorities which tackle all issues of concern,” said Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat.

Following the notorious MMS case, all Delhi schools conduct regular searches for mobiles, crackers, video games and pornographic materials. “We have been conducting random checks.

But in the present scenario, it will now be compulsory to check bags. However, children are smarter and the naughty ones actually have innovative plans and ideas when it comes to hiding such things,” said Usha Ram, principal of Laxman Public School.

However, more than the searches and vigilance, schools are now concerned about identifying behavioural problems among students. Identifying bullies is a key role assigned to some teachers in many schools now, and any complaint relating to aggressive behaviour is being taken seriously.

School counsellors have been given the task of talking to such students and rectifying problems. Parents are kept in the loop, and in many cases they are even asked to give an undertaking regarding their ward’s behaviour.