Safety programs to be regularly carried out across the countryRIYADH – A national school safety plan was announced here Monday by the Ministry of Education and the Civil Defense to prevent a recurrence of the tragic loss of life during the recent fire at the Bara'em Al-Watan Private Girls' School in Jeddah. A joint executive committee will be formed to carry out the plan that includes a computer link-up between the two bodies, a schedule of annual school evacuation drills, Civil Defense training for students and teachers and awareness and education programs. There has also been agreement to appoint safety officers at all schools to set up and monitor all safety and emergency procedures. The committee will also look into the status and conditions at some illegal schools not falling under the supervision of the Ministry of Education. The announcement was made after a meeting between Prince Faisal Bin Abdullah, Minister of Education and Lt. Gen. Saad Al-Twaijiri, Director General of the Civil Defense, at the ministry's headquarters in Riyadh. During the meeting, the two sides discussed all aspects of the joint school safety plan. Prince Faisal said the Civil Defense has a crucial role to play in protecting the country's citizens and infrastructure. He said the two sides will continue to exchange views on how best to protect the nation's schools. Al-Twaijiri said schools are among the country's most important facilities because they provide education for “our sons and daughters”. “This places a huge responsibility on us to provide them protection from disasters such as fire and floods.” He said the Civil Defense has already carried out a number of safety training programs at schools across the country.
