Y.S. RANA, CHANDIGARH—Disaster management may be the last thing on the mind of many states but it seems the priority of the education department of the Chandigarh Administration. Along disaster management education in city’s schools it has therefore emerged as a high priority for the Administration. The education department has now decided to impart training to school teachers in government as well as private one under the National School Safety Programme.
While talking to Mr Bikram Rana, State Liaison Officer, NSS Cell, Chadigarh, said that the Cell in association with the Chadigarh Education Department will be imparting training to deal with exigencies classified as disaster. He further revealed that in the first phase, it would be provided in 10 batches of teachers and each batch would consist of 45 to 50 teachers.
Mr Rana further stated that each batch will be given 3-day training in disaster management at the Regional Institute of English, Sector 32, Chandigarh. Part of training will also involve teaching about what to do before, during and after disaster so that damage could be minimized, says Mr Rana. The training for the first batch will start from September15-17 and after four days gap second batch will be provided training. The first phase of training would be completed by March next year.
He further revealed that it would be imparted under the guidance of experts from the National Disaster Rapid Force (NDRF) Government of India, New Delhi, Deputy Commissioner’s disaster management office and experts from the education department. In this way in 10 batches of first phase around 450 teachers would be trained to meet the various disaster exigencies. He also added that the department has also a plan to impart one day training to all schools management
The teachers trained in this way will further train the students of their respective schools, says Mr Rana.
The Central funds for disaster management are released in instalments after physical and financial progress reports are received from the administrative training (ATIs). Central funds for union territories (UTs) separate budget provisions are made in demands grants of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Initiatives of the Chandigarh Administration will definitely make future perfect for disaster management in Chandigarh. EOM