Schools instructed to keep gates locked during teaching hours

Education Ministry has instructed public schools to keep gates locked when classes are in progress.

In a circular sent to all schools, Education Ministry said that schools needed to keep a security guard at the gates as required under current policy.

Education Ministry instructed schools to have a mechanism in place to provide school staff and students with access in and out of the schools during school hours.

Schools were also instructed to ensure all parents have the parent card issued by the school.

The instructions come after a man barged into Jamaluddin School armed with a knife and threated the school’s staff on May 24. The suspect, identified by police as a 37-year-old Maldivian, was arrested the same day.

Police spokesperson Yoonus Sobah told Sun that all measures in the case would be taken after discussion with the Education Ministry.

Yoonus said that the police paid special attention to security at schools, and was committed to collaborating with the management of schools to protect students.