In a powerful display of preparedness, students at Springdales School on Pusa Road instantly dropped beneath their desks as a simulated earthquake warning echoed through the auditorium. This meticulously choreographed drill on Tuesday marked the official launch of the ambitious Disaster Ready Schools Campaign across the national capital.
A City at Risk Takes Proactive Steps
The campaign is a crucial initiative by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in partnership with the Delhi government. It was formally inaugurated by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at the event, which was also attended by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and Education Minister Ashish Sood. The program's scale is vast, covering 2,082 schools spread over six districts in Delhi, aiming to reach nearly 16.5 lakh students and 60,000 teachers.
The urgency of such a campaign cannot be overstated. Delhi lies in seismic zone IV, which indicates a high vulnerability to strong earthquakes. Compounding this risk is the reality that numerous school buildings are located in densely packed, older neighbourhoods, making evacuation and safety protocols even more critical.
Beyond Earthquakes: A Holistic Safety Framework
Addressing the gathering, LG VK Saxena described the campaign as a vital move towards ensuring child safety and awareness. CM Rekha Gupta emphasized that the initiative is designed to bolster preparedness and response mechanisms in all educational institutions. She stressed the importance of having all necessary facilities in schools to manage any disaster, given the large congregations of children present daily.
Teachers and school staff will receive specialised training to act effectively during real crises, Gupta added. Education Minister Ashish Sood expanded the scope of preparedness, noting that plans now account for heatwaves, fires, industrial hazards, and crowd-related risks. He introduced a modern concern, stating, "In today's digital age, bomb hoax calls and other panic-triggering digital threats also need to be part of disaster preparedness." He called for integrating protocols for such digital disasters into the overall management framework.
Concrete Steps for School Safety
The campaign outlines several actionable measures for every participating school. Regular drills will be conducted to familiarise everyone with procedures for earthquakes, fires, and other emergencies. Each school will be required to develop or update its School Disaster Management Plan (SDMP). This plan will clearly define roles, communication methods, assembly points, and step-by-step emergency actions.
Furthermore, schools will conduct hazard mapping exercises to pinpoint vulnerable spots within their premises. To aid evacuation, clear signage will be installed at strategic locations. The existing School Disaster Management Committees will be strengthened to oversee preparedness activities, coordinate with local authorities, and ensure all response systems remain functional year-round.
This comprehensive campaign represents a significant shift from reactive response to proactive, ingrained safety culture within Delhi's educational landscape, aiming to protect its youngest citizens from a spectrum of potential threats.
