Chandigarh Parents Association Slams 'Systemic Failure' in School Bomb Threat Response
The Chandigarh Parents Association (CPA) has issued a strong condemnation of what it describes as a "systemic failure" in communication and crisis management following a series of hoax bomb threats that targeted at least 30 schools across the city. The association's criticism comes amid growing concerns over school safety protocols and emergency preparedness in educational institutions.
Chaotic Response Exposes Safety Gaps
Nitin Goyal, president of the Chandigarh Parents Association and father of a Class XI student, expressed relief that the bomb threats turned out to be hoaxes but emphasized that "the chaotic reaction exposed a dangerous gap in our safety preparedness." Goyal described the incident as particularly traumatizing for both students and parents who experienced hours of uncertainty and fear.
According to reports, threatening emails began arriving as early as 8 am, yet many schools took between one to two hours to make evacuation decisions. The association highlighted that during this critical "Golden Hour" period, children remained in their classrooms while school management debated the credibility of the threats.
Communication Breakdown and Parental Concerns
The CPA has raised serious concerns about communication failures during the crisis. Goyal noted that while parents are primary stakeholders in their children's safety, "they were treated as an afterthought" during the incident. Some schools reportedly issued vague messages citing "unforeseen circumstances" rather than clearly stating the facts about bomb threats.
"Parents have a right to know immediately if their child's safety is at risk, not to discover it later through social media," Goyal emphasized. The association has urged the Chandigarh Police's Cyber Cell to fast-track investigations to prevent anonymous emails from holding the city hostage, demanding that perpetrators be caught and made examples of.
Demand for Standard Reunification Protocol
In response to the crisis, the Chandigarh Parents Association has made several specific demands to improve school emergency response systems:
- Implementation of Standard Reunification Protocol (SRP): The global standard for school emergencies that establishes clear procedures for student-parent reunification during crises
- Pre-designated reunification sites: Parks or community centers located away from school buildings to keep police and emergency routes clear
- Revised parent notification procedures: Instead of asking parents to rush to schools immediately, schools should load children onto buses and instruct parents to wait until areas are secured
- Precaution over protocol: The association argues it's better to close schools for a hoax than to keep them open during a potential tragedy
Traffic and Emergency Access Concerns
The CPA has particularly criticized the decision to ask thousands of parents to rush to schools simultaneously, noting that in a real emergency involving bombs or fires, this would have trapped ambulances and fire tenders in traffic congestion. "By telling schools to continue regular academic operations during an active threat, the Administration is asking educators to gamble with children's lives," Goyal stated.
The association's demands reflect growing parental concerns about institutional preparedness and the need for standardized emergency protocols that prioritize student safety while maintaining clear access for emergency responders.
