A mother drops her children at the school gate. Parents are rethinking their routines as the 2026-2027 school year begins. They have taken measures to protect their children amid a wave of child disappearances. "The situation frightens us. We're taking close control of our child's safety so it doesn't happen to us," says a mother who brought her child to the gate of her school in Ankadivato yesterday, on the first day of school at that establishment. She explains that she and her husband decided to minimize their child's walking on public roads as much as possible. "No bus goes directly on the route between our home and school. So my husband drives him there in the morning, or we take a taxi. At noon, we went to eat at my mother's place, because a bus line connects directly from her home to school, which avoids having to walk," she explains. Many parents also prefer to accompany their children to school themselves rather than delegate this responsibility to nannies. According to Mercia Rakotonandrasana, a private school guard responsible for dismissing students at the end of class, the presence of nannies at the gate is becoming increasingly rare. Security rules "I've adjusted my work schedule so I can accompany and pick up my child from school every day," explains another mother who works for herself. Schools are also strengthening their security rules. During enrollment meetings at several private schools, it was emphasized that only pre-designated guardians with school identification cards are authorized to pick up students. "In case of emergency, parents must notify the school in advance and present the person who will replace them. Without this, the student does not leave the school grounds," clarifies a private school official. Parents are calling for the State to strengthen security measures to protect students in this new school year marked by disappearances. Miangaly Ralitera