Workshop begins to institutionalize school safety

GANGTOK, 21 March: A 4-day workshop on planning and management to institutionalize school safety began today under the aegis of National University of Educational Planning & Administration [NUEPA], and organised by the Human Resource Development Department [HRDD].
Eight lecturers [two from Mizoram, four from Manipur and two from Meghalaya] on invitation of the HRDD, Heads and Principals of Senior Secondary Schools of Sikkim, teachers and officials from the HRDD are participating in the workshop.

Speaking at the workshop, HRDD Minister, NK Pradhan stated that there was tremendous responsibility on teachers.
“If children are given value based education, holistic education and morally good education, then safety will automatically come into the schools,” he said and added, “Then, necessity of safe infrastructure could be worked upon.”
“Physical safety of children incorporates many social, gender and religious issues, but first we need to create awareness among the children and the people living around them in their respective schools,” the Minister added.
According to the directive of the Supreme Court, fire safety measures have been installed in all the schools of Sikkim, he further claimed.
Earlier, a power-point presentation was given by Professor Pranati Panda [NEUPA, New Delhi], while the workshop was also addressed by R Telang [Commissioner-cum-Secretary, HRDD].