Growing safety concerns have gripped parents and students at two prominent government schools in Ludhiana West, where the complete absence of security guards has created potentially dangerous situations for children. The security vacuum at Govt Primary School, Gobind Nagar, and the adjoining Govt Senior Secondary School has become particularly alarming following the construction of a separate washroom block located outside the main school building.
Unsupervised Washroom Block Creates Major Safety Hazard
The newly constructed washroom facility stands just outside the school premises near the exit gate and remains openly accessible during school hours without any supervision. Located dangerously close to the roadside, this unsecured area has become a focal point of parental anxiety. "We have a constant fear for the safety of our children, particularly as the washroom area is near the roadside," expressed one deeply concerned parent, capturing the sentiment of many families.
Students from the primary school confirmed to authorities that no security guard has been present at their school for several months. They revealed that earlier, the guard from the adjoining senior secondary school used to monitor the gate, but that arrangement has also collapsed, leaving both institutions completely unprotected.
Administrative Challenges and Failed Security Systems
The Centre Head Teacher (CHT) of the primary school acknowledged the critical security gap, explaining that there is no sanctioned post for a guard at her institution. "The guard from the senior secondary school was also transferred. Without a post, we cannot hire anyone due to rules and salary issues," she stated, highlighting the bureaucratic hurdles preventing immediate solutions.
However, the CHT emphasized the urgent need for intervention, asserting that for student safety, there must be a sanctioned post and an available guard. Her concerns were echoed by students from the senior secondary school, who reported that guards who were previously posted have now disappeared, possibly due to transfers or retirements.
Parents Demand Immediate Action from Authorities
Attempts to reach the principal of the senior secondary school for comments proved unsuccessful despite repeated calls, adding to the frustration of worried parents. Families report seeing children wandering near the roadside after school hours, describing it as a direct safety risk that requires immediate attention.
"Security guards are a must for schools," insisted another parent, summarizing the collective demand of the community. The absence of guards at both educational institutions has sparked urgent calls for district authorities to intervene and ensure student safety, particularly given the vulnerable situation created by unsecured areas like the externally located washrooms.
Parents are now demanding that the administration create sanctioned posts for security guards and fill them without delay to prevent any untoward incidents and restore confidence in the safety of their children's learning environment.
