This document summarizes a case study on the emerging role of school leaders in Pakistan as security administrators in the post-9/11 era. It finds that after 9/11, security became a top priority for school administration in Pakistan. It identifies key actors and factors important for school security, including trained school administrators. However, it also finds gaps in implementing security plans. It recommends further research and strengthening the role of school administrators in security through collaboration with policymakers.

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Partner School Network
THE EMERGING ROLE OF SCHOOL
LEADERS AS SECURITY ADMINISTRATORS
(Case Study of Pakistani Schools in the Post9/11 Era)
Kashfi Butt
The City School International

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“No greater challenge exists today than creating
safe schools and restoring schools to tranquil and
safe places of learning. The challenge requires a
major strategic commitment and involves placing
school safety at the top of the educational agenda.
Without safe schools, teachers cannot teach and
students [scholars] cannot learn. A safe school is
foundational to the success of the academic
mission. A safe school is also one that is prepared
to respond to the unthinkable crisis.”
(Stephens cited in Philpott & Kuenstle, 2007: 1).
INTRODUCTION

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• Having been located in front line state against war
on terror, Pakistani schools have faced severe
security challenges /traumas in the post 9/11 era
and therefore the role of school leaders in Pakistan
has undergone a phenomenal change regarding
their skills and abilities for the security management
of school campuses which actually includes a huge
bulk of multidimensional complexities.
• This study focuses on terrorists’ attacks on
Pakistani schools since 9/11 with a purpose of an
analysis of security lapses and gaps in leaders’
training, security manuals and the degree of
preparedness of school heads to meet this
disastrous challenge for the acquisition of a fool
proof security system.
INTRODUCTION

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METHODOLOGY
• This is primarily a historical, descriptive
and analytical research containing both
quantitative and qualitative elements of
study.
• Although it mainly involves the use of
secondary sources as a basic instrument
of this research, yet some primary data in
the form of interviews, tables and graphs
etc. have also been prepared originally by
the researcher.

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The following Questionnaire was devised as a primary tool of this study
employed to interview the executives of different schools:
1.After 9/11, where do you rate schools’ security, among various other
major priority areas of school administration like infrastructure,
faculty, teaching, curricular activities, sports and value orientation
etc.?
2.What major actors and factors do you consider most important for
providing a safe and secured environment to the learners? Name at
least three actors and factors each.
3.How important is the role of school administrator in accomplishing
the task of school security in your opinion?
4.What are the prevailing gaps in implementing the school security
plans in Pakistan?
5.To what extent do you consider that Pakistani schools equipped with
trained school administrator to counter the ever mounting challenges
of terrorists activities? What special measures do you prescribe for a
more effective role of schools administrator in the school security
mechanism?
THE QUESTIONAIRE

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• The raised status of schools’ security among various
other major priority areas of school administration in
Pakistan after 9/11;
• Major actors considered most important for
providing a safe and secured school environment in
Pakistan after 9/11;
• Major factors found most relevant for the security of
schools in Pakistan after 9/11;
• The prevailing gaps in implementing the school
security plans in Pakistan;
• The importance of the role of school administrator in
accomplishing the task of school security and the
need for Pakistani schools to equip with trained
school administrators to counter the ever mounting
challenges of terrorists activities.
MAJOR FINDINGS:

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RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STUDY
• The need for researchers to focus on the problem for
more and more sophisticated research analysis;
• The policy making to fill the identified security gaps by
incorporating the role of school administrators in a
strong sate–society collaboration through a highly
coordinated school security mechanism;
• The acknowledgement, appreciation and propagation of
the most dignified role of personalities like Mrs Tahira
Qazi and Professor Dr. Hamid Hussain as role models for
school administrators.
Professor Dr Hamid Hussain
Charsadda University