For parents, school represents a place that they can drop their children off in the morning, confident that their sons and daughters will have a day filled with academic and social lessons surrounded by inspired environments and compassionate teachers. For students, it’s a time to explore new universes, play with friends, and just be silly.
Ultimately though, it is in these spaces that a bulk of a kid’s formative years take place, and what happens within those hallowed hallways will stick with the pupil for the rest of their life.
That’s why, aside from being a place of learning, it is critical that schools are a beacon of safety in the community. Not only do parents have to be able to rely on the school to protect the well-being of their children, but children need a safe and nurturing environment to realize their full potential as they navigate the all-too-confusing labyrinth of their own maturation.
Therefore it’s welcome news that Beijing’s government recently introduced a slate of new regulations aimed at further protecting the safety of students in primary and middle schools.
The legislation covers everything from school security to food safety, and will impose a new 200-meter safety zone around all campuses, effectively banning factories that discharge pollutants, as well as internet cafes and entertainment sites. What’s more, vehicles will be barred from parking within 100 meters of school gates. Should any malicious actor penetrate the safety zone radius, the regulations will also require schools to hire six full-time security personnel per 1,000 teachers and students.
Whereas protecting students while in the care of the school is an important step for the educational authorities to take, they’re going a bit further in that the new measures will also place an importance on safety education, providing students with courses in how to avoid and/or handle dangerous situations such as attacks, fires, and natural disasters.
Lastly, in light of an attack that was carried out by a maintenance employee at an elementary school earlier this year, the new regulations will require schools to monitor the psychological status of their staff, and adequately investigate any conflicts that may arise between coworkers.
And in an unprecedented move, should any of these regulations be violated, it is the school’s principal who will be held directly accountable.
Photos: Campbellusd.org
