Chinese Schools to Tighten Security

When classes begin in China this week, students and teachers can expect tighter security, including new video surveillance, intruder alarms, and police officers and vans around the perimeter of school premises. After three back-to-back attacks on Chinese students last week left several dozen children injured, Chinese authorities are stepping up security nationwide. The latest of the attacks happened on Friday when a farmer broke down the school gate with a motorcycle and assaulted students with a hammer before pouring gasoline over himself and lighting his body on fire. The attack before that occurred when an unemployed man wounded 29 kindergarten students with an 8-inch knife. While higher security standards will be in place, some say the government’s approach is only superficial and won’t address the underlying social issues instigating the attackers.