Moving towards school safety

GANGTOK, 06 April: No task is as important as creating a safe learning environment for the children. Recent reports of casualties due to earthquake, fire and stampede bring to light the need to be continually vigilant to ensure safety of students and staff in schools. Hence, schools need to address the issue of safety on top priority.
Considering the safety of students and staff as a priority, the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) conducted a training-cum-mock exercise on school earthquake safety at Thumi Sambhota Tibetan School at Upper Sichey, Gangtok, on Wednesday.

The programme focused on promoting a culture of disaster-safety in schools.
The primary strategies were to inform, persuade and integrate the issues of safety to create a safe school. The workshop comprised of sensitization of children on issues of disasters, particularly earthquake and the requisite safety measures to be taken in order to protect themselves.
Simulated mock drills such as “DROP, COVER and HOLD” were demonstrated in the assembly and the students performed mock drills in all the classes leading to safe evacuation within ten minutes to the open ground.
Formation of school safety plans/ school disaster management plans were discussed with the students and staff. Also, a painting competition on Disaster Management was discussed with the Principal. The session was very interactive and the students and staff participated enthusiastically in the programme.
[BHUPENDRA SHARMA, SPO, Sikkim]