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UNUSUAL SIGHT: Students from Singapore Chinese Girls' School encounter military personnel stationed just outside Dunearn Road. -- ST PHOTOS: JOYCE FANG
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DESPITE the massive police presence around Dunearn Road yesterday, it was generally business as usual at schools in the area, with one major difference: Security was stepped up at all levels.
Outside the schools - The Straits Times checked four, including Singapore Chinese Girls' School (SCGS) and St Joseph's Institution (SJI), as well as a childcare centre - police stopped parents who were dropping their children off to check their vehicles. Even school buses were checked.
Vehicles were checked a second time as they left the buildings, with predictable results on traffic flow.
Inside the schools, a mini lockdown was in effect as well. Teachers were assigned to patrol the corridors, while security guards kept a watchful eye over entrances and exits as the manhunt for escaped terror leader Mas Selamat Kastari continued just beyond school gates.
At least one school, Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road), hired more guards because of the security scare, beefing up its force of 16 with an additional seven.
There were added precautiions at other schools as well.
SJI, for instance, has suspended all co-curricular activities involving late-night training or overnight camps.
SCGS vice-principal Shermaine Tang warned students not to 'roam around'.
Over at The Learning Vine Childcare centre in Goldhill Avenue, class took on a different tone yesterday morning.
The centre's 45 toddlers, all under seven years old, rehearsed emergency evacuation procedures with staff.
The children also practised putting their shoes on in the quickest time possible.
The centre's director, who wanted to be known only as Mr Cheriyan, said: 'It is very important to make sure everyone is fully prepared, so we don't end up panicking if something happens.'
Besides the security measures, staff in the schools took pains to reassure students that things would be fine.
Mrs Tang had this message for her charges: 'Your teachers are here for you, and we're going to have a great day at school.'
SJI principal Benjamin Lui told The Straits Times: 'It's a bit abnormal with the police here, but otherwise, we're going about our work just fine.'
Despite all this, some parents were still spooked by the manhunt.
At least seven were seen leaving SCGS just after assembly - with their daughters in tow.
'I feel very uneasy. Having a manhunt here is not normal,' said one jittery parent who wanted to be known only as Ms Tan.
'I can't bear leaving my daughter here when such a dangerous man is on the loose.'
However, Ms Tan and other such parents were an exception: All the schools reported normal attendance, with no 'unusual absenteeism'.
taniat@sph.com.sg
leepq@sph.com.sg
jermync@sph.com.sg
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