Schools talk terror in the classroom

At a panel discussion on terror held for the students of Podar International School, Santacruz, a student asked, “How can you identify a terrorist?”

At a panel discussion on terror held for the students of Podar International School, Santacruz, a student asked, “How can you identify a terrorist?”

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The panelists were stumped, including former additional commissioner of police, AA Khan. “No one had an answer,” said Vandana Lulla, the school’s principal. “How do you answer such a question?”

Worried that they could be soft targets, schools have sought to answer questions on their own preparedness on dealing with terror. Several schools such as Apeejay School in Kharghar, Pragnya Bodhini School in Goregaon and DG Khetan International School in Malad have cautioned students to be alert in public spaces. “We have asked them not to talk to strangers and to be alert about unattended packages,” said Seema Shaikh, principal of Pragnya Bodhini School, which installed closed circuit television cameras last month.

A few days after the blast, Podar Jumbo Kids, Santacruz, issued a circular to parents. “Your children are going to be affected by this,hiding facts from them will not be the right way to handle it. It may only make matters worse,” it said.