The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) marked School Safety Day with significant activities at the Islamabad Model School for Girls.
School Safety Day events aim to raise community-wide awareness among school children and youth regarding the dangers posed by hazards. The emphasis has shifted towards proactive measures including prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery, aimed at bolstering preparedness for natural disasters and extreme climate events such as heatwaves, wildfires and flooding.
The event held on May 16 at the Islamabad Model School for Girls (IMCG) was organized by NDMA’s Gender & Child Cell (GCC) in collaboration with the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) and Aga Khan Agency for Habitat Pakistan (AKAHP). The event highlighted the importance of comprehensive school safety and climate change adaptation and risk reduction.
A key feature of the event was the handover of an All-Inclusive School Safety Kit to the school’s Safety Committee. This kit, comprising 20 essential items, is designed to enhance the school’s disaster preparedness and response capabilities.
NDMA observed School Safety Day with School Safety Kits handover & evacuation drills at Federal Schools with support of Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), Aga Khan Agency for Habitat Pakistan (AKAHP) through an interactive event at Islamabad Model School for Girls. pic.twitter.com/R8LFs0hXrf
— NDMA PAKISTAN (@ndmapk) May 16, 2024
The initiative forms part of the Pakistan School Safety Framework (PSSF), developed by NDMA in partnership with various stakeholders, including Education Ministries, UNICEF, British Council, School of Leadership, and AKAHP.
As part of the day’s activities, NDMA conducted evacuation drills covering multiple disaster scenarios such as earthquakes and fire emergencies. These drills are intended to ensure that students, teachers, and staff are well-versed in emergency protocols and crisis management techniques.
Additionally, NDMA’s GCC organized a three-day refresher and Training of Trainers (ToT) program for FDE teachers under the PSSF. This training aims to equip teachers with the knowledge and skills to effectively implement school safety measures.
NDMA has committed to evaluating the availability of safety kits across 432 FDE-linked schools and plans to provide safety kits to each school with the support of humanitarian partners. This initiative underscores NDMA’s ongoing commitment to enhancing school safety and disaster preparedness nationwide.
Pakistan School Safety Framework
The main purpose of the Pakistan School Safety Framework (PSSF) is to provide policy guidance and to set a standard for the implementation of Comprehensive School Safety at national, provincial, district and school levels.
Lauded as the most robust and comprehensive school safety framework in the Asia Pacific region during a recent UNICEF Regional Knowledge Exchange in Kathmandu, PSSF aims to bolster awareness and preparatory measures among students and educational institutions.
Key Objective of the Framework
- Promote a safe learning environment for students, teachers and school staff against natural and man-made disasters.
- Ensure the preparedness of the school community against hazards and unforeseen circumstances which may lead to disaster.
- Enabling schools to develop a comprehensive response mechanism in the event of a hazard or disaster.
- Educate all stakeholders about their respective responsibilities in the realm of school safety.
- Involve children in ensuring school safety and risk reduction measures.