SRINAGAR: A five-day training programme on ‘Education in Disasters and Emergencies’ organized by the Department of Social Work, University of Kashmir (KU), concluded here on Friday.
The event was held in collaboration with the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India.
The programme was aimed at equipping school teachers with the essential skills in disaster management and enhance their ability to respond effectively and protect the precious lives of students in times of disasters.
A total of 46 teachers from both government and private schools across all districts of the region were trained during the five-day program. Faculty from NIDM and Bal Raksha Bharat (NGO) conducted sessions on various aspects of disaster management.
Registrar KU Prof. Naseer Iqbal who was chief guest at the valedictory session appreciated the initiative and highlighted the importance of disaster management skills.
“We have reached the grassroots level by training school teachers in disaster management. It is crucial to equip them with the skills to save children and others in times of crisis,” he remarked.
Director, School Education, Kashmir Division, Tassaduq Hussain Mir, spoke on the evolving role of teachers and their importance during the disasters and emergencies.
“Teachers are not just educators but also companions and counsellors for children. They must be prepared to mitigate risks during disasters and this training is an important step in that direction,” he said.
SSP Commandment SDRF (JKPS), Mansoor Ahmad Mir, highlighted the vulnerability of children during disasters and the importance of providing them safety.
“This training develop the necessary skills and networks for disaster management planning and ensures the safety of children at school,” he stated.
Head, Humanitarian, Bal Raksha Bharat (BRB), Mr. Mintu Debnath, spoke about the pivotal role of teachers in disaster management.
“Teachers are often the first to build vision in children’s lives and they can play a critical role during emergencies in schools. It’s essential to have SOPs and a disaster management plan in place to ensure children’s physical, mental, and social safety,” he noted.
Senior Programme Manager, NIDM, Dr. Kumar Raka, stressed on the importance of focusing on children’s needs.
Earlier, in her welcome address, Head, Department of Social Work, Prof. Shazia Manzoor highlighted the importance of training programme on disaster management for educators.
The report of the five-day programme was presented by Dr. Balu, faculty, NIDM, while as Dr. Javaid Rashid, faculty, Department of Social Work KU conducted the proceedings of the event and also proposed vote of thanks on the occasion.