Schools across Ahmedabad city and district will maintain their regular schedule on Thursday, a day after several institutions in the city received alarming bomb threats via email. The decision for normal operations comes with a clear mandate for heightened vigilance and immediate police coordination.
Official Directive for Normal Functioning
District Education Officer (DEO) for Ahmedabad, Rohit Chaudhry, confirmed the directive on Wednesday. He stated that the instruction for all schools to function normally on Thursday was issued following the directions of the district collector. This move aims to prevent disruption to academic activities while simultaneously putting robust security protocols in place.
Chaudhry emphasized that school principals and management bodies have been formally informed about the situation. The primary instruction given to them is unequivocal: they must immediately contact the nearest police station if they receive any such threatening emails. This establishes a direct and rapid response channel to handle any potential security incidents.
Enhanced Safety Measures for Students
Beyond the police coordination order, the DEO outlined additional safety requirements for schools. Educational institutions have been directed to proactively take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of their students. While specific measures were not detailed in the public announcement, this typically involves increased scrutiny of entry and exit points, monitoring of school premises, and heightened awareness among staff.
Furthermore, schools have been asked to make suitable arrangements to prevent any chaos or panic in and around their premises should a threatening situation arise. This includes having clear evacuation or lockdown drills and communication plans to manage students and parents calmly and effectively, thereby avoiding stampedes or confusion.
Context of the Threats
The development follows a tense Wednesday for the city's educational community after multiple schools in Ahmedabad received bomb threat emails. Such incidents, though often turning out to be hoaxes, are treated with utmost seriousness by authorities due to the potential risk to young lives and public order. The police are likely investigating the origin and credibility of the threats.
The collective response from the district administration, education department, and police underscores a balanced approach: refusing to let fear disrupt daily life while deploying a structured safety net. Parents and guardians are advised to remain alert and follow any official communications from their children's schools regarding safety protocols.
