Arab News visited private and public girls’ schools and interviewed their students.

Private schools tended to have advanced evacuation plans, yet all emergency doors were kept locked. “We are frightened that girls might run away through the side doors. And this is a big responsibility,” a private school principal said.

Some public schools use rented buildings, which are not fully equipped with a security system. In addition, it only has one main gate for students to exit and enter. “We worry if a disaster was to happen, students would push each other and fall off the stairs or cause a crush as they try to reach the one exit we have,” a public school teacher said.

Schools are educating students with the steps they need to take in case of an emergency.

“Each year, our school gives us a lecture and guides us through certain methods that need to be followed when, God forbid, something bad happens. For instance, they taught us how to use a fire extinguisher and how to stand in a straight line when exiting a building to prevent a crush,” one private school student said.

Schools have drills to make sure that students are familiar with the evacuation plan.

“We were taught to follow a specific strategy of lining up and following our schoolteacher until we reach the front door. We practice this each semester. When the emergency bell rings. we immediately stand in rows, so we are prepared when it rings for the real thing,” said a public school student.

Public school teachers fear not being much help to their students and wonder what else they can do.

“We don’t have much to offer but to teach our students how to act when they need to leave the school for an emergency. The question is, what if the fire was right next to our one exit? What can we do about that? Should we train them how to jump from windows?” said one public school principal.