How safe are our schools?

KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 — Are our schools really safe from intrusions?

A recent armed robbery at SJKT Mount Austin in Taman Desa Tebrau, Johor, where parents were held at knife-point and robbed of their valuables, prompted Malay Mail to test how easy it was to gain entry into schools.

Despite the presence of security guards, our reporters entered with ease.

Shockingly, this was the second time our reporters managed to gain access into schools after a similar exercise was carried out in October last year.

SMK Hulu Klang, Ampang

Faizal: All it takes to sneak into a school unnoticed is to act like you’re looking for someone or something.

And that’s just what I did. 

Looking at my handphone and pretending to browse through it, I calmly walked past the guardhouse at this school. Occasionally, I’d look up as I walked about, pretending to looking around the premises. 

And not a single finger was lifted in objection. It was easy as pie.

I then walked about 50m to the teachers’ office and asked to speak to the principal —but not before strutting past the classrooms along the way and having my photos taken by photographer Azinuddin Ghazali as if on a catwalk. 

Thieves and trespassers would have it easy then. The purpose of this exercise was, of course, not to make a mockery of security in our schools but to observe just how easy it is for a total stranger to sneak in. 

Halfway through the school’s compound, I realised I had forgotten my notebook on the way in. So I returned to my car parked outside the school’s compound and  managed to walk in again without anyone stopping me. I was in the compound for another 15 minutes before I left for another school.

Sekolah Rendah Agama Integrasi Taman Segamat, Ampang

Faizal: Despite the security guard lingering outside the front gate and looking alert, I sauntered past by him, again holding my phone.

Ironically, there was a giant red signboard there that sternly read: “Visitors are not allowed to enter without a pass.”

I walked alongside all the classrooms on the ground floor. I went to the first floor and did the same. I walked all around the school. Occasionally, I’d get a questioning look from a member of the school’s staff but that was about it.

The classrooms were brimming with pupils, who were bustling with energy, while their teachers did their best to keep things under control. It would be understandable that anything amiss happening outside would not be immediately noticed. 

Finally, Azinuddin and I went to the teachers’ room on the first floor and asked to speak to the headmaster, or anyone else who would be able to comment. However, the headmaster and other senior teachers were not available.  

Azinuddin, with a camera in his hand, encountered the same security guard at the front gate and acknowledged him. Again, the guard still didn’t seem to mind all that much.

There were also several people lingering outside the school including bus drivers and ice cream vendors. No-one thought it unusual that two complete strangers managed to enter unchecked.

SMK Kepong Baru, Kuala Lumpur

Vanessa: It was 1.30pm and I saw a group of students walking out of SMK Kepong Baru as I entered the school compound. 

There were no security guards around except for a traffic warden, who saw me entering the school, but was busy diverting traffic. 

I managed to walk past the field and a row of classrooms before making my way to the sports room, which was locked. I walked past the canteen and headed to the first floor.

The school bell rang and a group of students and teachers rushed down the stairs. 

I waited as students and teachers cleared the stairwell, throwing a smile or two at them.

I walked to the first floor as several teachers greeted me with smiles. I noticed they were all rushing to attend a meeting which was chaired by the principal. 

I managed to speak to him briefly, pointing out how easy it was to enter the school’s compound. 

The principal, who declined to be named, invited me to the office after I introduced myself. 

He said I managed to enter the school because it was during “rush hour”.

He then explained the gate where I entered was actually the back entrance and the security guard was probably busy as he also doubles up as a traffic warden. 

I later left the school grounds through the front gate and expected the guard to stop me, but he just watched as I left.

SK Damansara Damai 1, Petaling Jaya

Vanessa: The gate was wide open. The two female security guards at the post appeared unperturbed with my presence as I made my way to the corridors.  

As it was 2.30pm, most of the students were in their classrooms. I made my way to the first floor and managed to locate the staff room and the school office.

The friendly teachers greeted me with smiles as I walked up the stairs. I spoke to a few parents who were at the corridors on the first floor before making my way to the senior assistant’s office.

However, the school’s afternoon senior assistant Zulkifli Hamzah was not happy that I came unannounced and refused to comment when I wanted to speak to him regarding the school’s safety.

As I made my way out, it was already recess time and students were roaming freely. I even managed to speak to them.

The two guards were still there and did not stop or questioned me when I left.

I smiled at them as they watched me leave.