Toronto: Canadian media are examining response measures in school districts following one of the worst school shootings in the country's history on February 10.
According to Thai News Agency, Isabelle Theotonio, an education reporter for the Toronto Star, noted in a news report that school shooting drills are critically important for many students in the United States. However, in Canada, where such incidents are rare, educators are struggling to balance preparing children for potential violence with addressing the mental health concerns that may arise from the drills.
She cited Ontario, Canada's most populous province, as an example, stating that all schools must conduct lockdown drills or school closures in the event of an emergency on school grounds at least twice a year. The purpose is to keep students and school personnel safe by taking cover in classrooms, locking doors, closing blinds, silencing communication devices, remaining as quiet as possible, and allowing access only to emergency personnel.
Professor Tracy Wellencourt, a professor at the University of Ottawa and a researcher on mental health and violence prevention, explains that emergency response drills in schools are important because people will automatically follow what they've practiced. Knowing exactly what to do reduces chaos and hesitation. The psychological impact on children depends on the intensity of the drill; if it's too intense, it can cause stress and anxiety. Therefore, drills should be calm and focus on skills to increase preparedness. Age is also a factor; younger children tend to be more anxious than older children. The key is proportionality; preparedness should be appropriate to the actual level of risk and implemented in a way that minimizes unnecessary fear.
The Toronto Star has questioned school boards about school drills following the Tumbler Ridge Public School shooting in British Columbia that killed six people, including teachers and students. The perpetrator, who also killed his mother and younger brother at home, took his own life at the school.
The Toronto School District has dispatched staff to train school personnel on what to do during lockdown in the event of a school emergency and how to stay safe in the vicinity. Meanwhile, the Dufferin-Peal Catholic School District is reviewing its safety protocols and sharing this information with parents, who will receive email notifications as soon as possible in the event of a lockdown, to prevent the spread of rumors that could hinder staff operations. The York Regional School District has provided training and guidelines to individual schools to develop and conduct their own drills throughout the year. Each school has also established a response team responsible for drills and submitting progress reports for improvement. The Halton Catholic School District emphasized the importance of schools regularly reviewing their procedures for effectiveness and conducting drills in a calm and supportive atmosphere for the children, while parents should talk to their children to alleviate their concerns.