Class act under fire: Delhi school children rehearse security drills amid India-Pakistan tensions

NEW DELHI: The school bell had barely rung when an eerie siren pierced the morning calm. In one corner of the classroom, a four-year-old darted toward the window to draw the curtains. Another tiny hand reached up to flick off the lights. Moments later, students across grades dropped to the ground and took cover under desks — rehearsing how to survive if the unthinkable happens.On Wednesday, schools across Delhi conducted security drills and awareness programmes to prepare students for emergency situations, as the country braced for possible retaliation following India’s early morning airstrike on terror infrastructure in Pakistan. The drills, part of a city-wide civil preparedness initiative, were conducted on govt orders and aimed to familiarise children with how to act during crises like bombings, air raids or intrusions.“Drop, cover, and hold on” — three key elements of safety procedures — became the morning mantra across campuses. The drills began in schools and were later conducted in malls, markets and residential societies.At DPS Vasant Kunj, students were guided through evacuation routes and taught how to respond to different emergencies. A fire extinguisher truck was brought in to give a live demonstration, adding a practical touch to the theoretical training. “The idea was to prepare without panic,” principal Deepti Vohra said, adding that students had previously participated in earthquake and fire drills, but the context this time was different.Indeed, while drills are not new to many Delhi schools, this week’s exercise came amid heightened alert. The recent hoax bomb threats in city schools had already created a sense of urgency around preparedness. “Children are used to fire drills, but this was the first time they carried their bags on their heads while running down the staircase in response to an air raid siren,” said a senior school staffer.At Amity International School, Saket, and many others, the youngest students stood out. As the war siren blared, nursery children sprang into action — turning off lights, pulling curtains and hiding under desks. “What will you need at home if there’s an emergency?” a teacher asked. “Medicines, food and water,” the children responded in unison.The scene was similar at ITL Public School in Dwarka Sector 9. Teachers led students through a step-by-step drill, checking classrooms and ensuring no child was left behind. “As loud as the siren was, the children responded with surprising calm,” said principal Sudha Acharya. “They have been sensitised, and it showed.”At Tagore International School, Vasant Vihar, the air raid drill began at exactly 10.02am. Students followed verbal and video instructions — switching off lights, closing windows, drawing curtains, and ducking under tables. Quick response teams formed within the school swung into action. Senior leadership supervised the floors and ground, and the all-clear signal was given after a few minutes, allowing students to return to routine.For many students, the exercise also stirred feelings of patriotism. “This is our way of showing our army we are ready. They can go on — we are prepared,” said Vandita Sharma, a senior student at Amity Saket, her voice firm. “We hope the situation doesn’t escalate, but if it does, we are not afraid,” added her batchmate Raabya.At a govt school in Tughlaqabad, parents who had come to pick up their children joined in. Nursery students hid under desks, whispering with wide eyes, as their parents crouched beside them. “The siren was scary at first,” a parent acknowledged. “But the teachers had prepared the kids so well, they knew exactly what to do.”Several school principals echoed the sentiment that while no one wishes for conflict, preparedness is vital. “I still remember the 1971 war. We had to turn off lights and stay put,” said Divya Bhatia, principal, Amity Saket, who grew up in a military family. “It’s not something you want to relive, but it’s important to prepare the next generation. What happened in Pahalgam couldn’t go unanswered. We have full faith in our army.”