NDMA holds meeting on School Safety Framework

Islamabad

Pakistan being a disaster prone country is vulnerable to natural calamities as well as man-made disasters. Our education institutions particularly the schools have been the worst victim of disasters in terms of destruction and loss of life of children. National Education Policy does point out towards the disaster management in schools but no substantial guidelines exist in this regard.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy, formulated in 2013 focuses on prevention, mitigation and preparedness aspects of disaster risk reduction (DRR). The policy recognised that higher vulnerability leads to higher losses in disaster and hence highlighted the need for effective disaster risk reduction interventions for vulnerable groups. Children form the most important segment of vulnerable groups and require special attention.

In 2015, NDMA undertook the initiative to formulate the concept of Child Centered Disaster Risk Reduction in concert with UNICEF. The Gender and Child Cell of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA - GCC) is in the process of developing a set of guidelines for the purpose of safety of schools, titled Pakistan School Based Disaster Risk Management (PSBDRM) Framework.

The document is meant to be followed by public and private schools across the country to build their capacity in terms of prevention, preparedness and response against natural and man-made disasters to ensure minimal damage and loss of life. The Pakistan School Based Disaster Risk Management (PSBDRM) Framework has drawn objectives: (1) To provide guidance based on the best practicable measures for schools safety in the domain of infrastructure, security, environment and psychological protection. (2) To institutionalize the Pakistan School Based Disaster Risk Management Framework across Pakistan in all public and private schools in urban as well rural areas. (3). To build the capacity of schools to put up a sound local response in a disaster emergency in the school to mitigate losses (4) To improve knowledge and awareness about the root causes, characteristics, and consequences of natural and man-made disasters which pose a threat to school and student safety (5.) To formulate a strategy for monitoring, supporting, and rigorously evaluating a wide range of school and student safety practices, including mock drills. (6) Put forth a structured coordination mechanism between all stake holders to include school community, parents, government departments, law enforcement agencies and school association etc.

The development of framework, has been an iterative process. The NDMA pursued consultative process with experts in the field of school safety and different stakeholders. The National Consultative Meeting was a two day event held in Islamabad on 17 and 18 August. A total of 84 high profile government officials from Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan and Fata, along with key donors, development partners and representatives from the education sector participated in the meeting. During the two-day event the participants gave their invaluable input for the finalisation of the PSBDRM Framework Document.

NDMAs initiative was lauded and substance of Framework was greatly appreciated. The consultations were professionally handled by renowned facilitator Umair Jaliwala. The Framework will be further refined and then piloted all across the country before its finalisation by the end of this year.

The chairman of the NDMA thanked the participants profusely and said that he was delighted with the outcome of the meeting. He said that the invaluable input of the participants greatly contributed towards the clarity, comprehensiveness and overall value of the document.