Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has launched a crucial city-wide initiative to fortify schools against natural disasters and emergencies. The 'Disaster Ready School Safety Campaign' aims to ensure educational institutions are fully equipped to protect thousands of children on campus at any given time.
Launch Event and Core Mission
The campaign was jointly inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at an event held at Springdales School on Pusa Road. Speaking at the launch, CM Gupta emphasized the national importance of being "disaster ready," highlighting that schools, with their dense populations of children, require special focus for safety and preparedness.
The initiative will roll out across six educational districts of Delhi, starting from the private school on Pusa Road. Gupta stated that the program is designed to significantly strengthen the preparedness and emergency response systems within the city's educational infrastructure.
Phase One: Training Over 2000 Schools
According to the Chief Minister's Office, the ambitious first phase of the campaign will cover a vast network of more than 2,000 schools. This comprehensive coverage includes:
- Government schools
- Aided institutions
- Recognised private schools
Within these schools, a structured two-day training and mock drill module has already commenced. This hands-on training is the cornerstone of the campaign, moving beyond theoretical knowledge to practical, life-saving drills.
Demonstrating Life-Saving Techniques
During the launch event at Springdales School, students actively participated in a demonstration to showcase the training's practical application. They performed an earthquake safety drill using the globally recognized "drop-cover-hold" technique, a fundamental procedure to minimize injury during seismic events.
This visual demonstration underscored the campaign's hands-on approach. The goal is to ingrain such safety protocols into the muscle memory of both students and staff, ensuring a calm and effective response during actual emergencies.
The 'Disaster Ready School Safety Campaign' marks a significant step by the Delhi government towards institutionalizing safety. By proactively training thousands in over 2,000 schools, the administration is working to build a resilient educational environment where the well-being of students is paramount.
