Mumbai students learn disaster management

Mumbai students learn disaster management


Students of schools in south Mumbai would be given lessons in preparedness in case of a disaster, be it bomb blast, flooding situation akin to 26/7/2005 or any accident.
After a spate of bomb hoax incidents in city schools, the south Mumbai region of the education department is planning to make disaster management lessons compulsory in schools in their region.

Speaking in a discussion meant for issues related to schools, the education inspector of the south Mumbai region, Suman Shinde, urged the department to form a committee to overlook issues related to disaster management. She also cited the recent bomb hoax in Shardashram High School in Dadar, while explaining the importance of having a machinery in place.

Shinde said, “In cases of emergency, most of the headmasters are not even aware of the location of the main switch in their schools. Only the security/watchman knows about it. If he is not available that day, then the building is in danger.” She also added that mock drill sessions should be conducted in presence of all the students and safety should be taken care of. She also mentioned the safety of children in school buses. Shinde said, “Schools should be made aware of different kinds of disasters, which can affect schools. The July 26 flooding, bomb hoaxes and also the Millat School van explosion are incidents which need to be tackled at a larger level.”

When contacted Shinde said, “Eighty per cent of the work on the project is already complete. However, more details can be given once the project is launched.” A source from the department said that the department might release pamphlets to sensitise schools and students on disaster managements and will distribute it to schools in the region. Workshops and mock drills will be conducted. He added, “Disaster management is part of the personality development module in the school’s curriculum, however, it is tackled on a very superficial level.”