THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The UNICEF has tied up with the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority to implement safety plans in the flood-hit schools in the state. It has identified 200 flood-hit schools for the programme. Hazard zones would be identified and mock drills and capacity building programmes would be conducted.
Meanwhile, the disaster management authority has joined hands with the education department to implement the school safety guidelines 2016 issued by the National Disaster Management Authority in the state which has around 17,000 schools.
As a first step, the authorities have decided to circulate the translated version of the school safety guidelines which mandate the formation of a school safety committee in every school. The committee comprising students, PTI members, ward member representatives from various departments including fire, police, and food safety should carry out quarterly safety audits in schools.
"We have identified around 200 schools in risky areas in the state. The guidelines have been translated into Malayalam and we would circulate them in all schools. Capacity building would be the prime focus. The committee would find out hazard areas in the schools and would be prepared for the possible disasters in the area," said the official. UNICEF has set apart Rs 10 lakh for the programme.
"Our aim is to turn these two hundred schools into model ones which could be replicated by every school in the state," the official added.
