National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) Pakistan School Safety Framework Pilot Programme has entered into the third phase of its implementation.
The pilot programme aims at implementing school safety in all schools of Pakistan in order to prepare effectively against natural or man-made hazards.
While December 16th is commemorated for the victims of Army Public School attack in 2014, NDMA moved forward in the final phase of its pilot programme for school safety.
According to NDMA, total 68 schools were selected including both public and private schools with mutual consultation of education departments and secretariats of the private school systems.
The NDMA has already completed the first phase of Pakistan School Safety Pilot Programme in collaboration with UNICEF and British Council in which 30 aster trainers were trained in Lahore.
In the Second Phase, 209 teachers from each of the nominated 68 schools were trained by the master trainers and equipped with thorough knowledge and practical exercises pertaining to school safety.
The third phase of the pilot programme is in progress till January 2017 in which the trained teachers will further develop respective school safety plan, raise school safety organisations, undertake the self- assessment of the safety standards in accordance with Pakistan School Safety Framework, and also prepare school community for response against disasters in respective schools.
The evaluation on the implementation of the plan will be monitored by the team of evaluators along with NDMA representatives in February 2017.
The Comprehensive School Safety Framework when finalised will provide a much needed direction for disaster risk management.
