In a significant move to bolster safety and preparedness, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has officially launched the ambitious 'Disaster Ready' campaign across the capital's government schools. The initiative aims to systematically train students and staff to respond effectively to emergencies like fires and earthquakes.
Building a Culture of Safety in Educational Institutions
The campaign was inaugurated at the Delhi Secretariat on Tuesday, marking a proactive step towards institutionalizing disaster management protocols. The program will be implemented in over 1,000 schools managed by the Delhi government, directly impacting the safety of lakhs of students. The core objective is to move beyond theoretical knowledge and ensure that every individual on school premises knows exactly what to do when a crisis strikes.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal emphasized that the safety of children is the government's paramount priority. He stated that the 'Disaster Ready' campaign is designed to ingrain a robust culture of preparedness. "We often hear about unfortunate incidents in schools. Through this campaign, we want to ensure that our students and teachers are not only aware but also trained to handle such situations confidently," Kejriwal said during the launch event.
Structured Training and Practical Drills
The campaign is not a one-off drill but a structured, ongoing process. It involves comprehensive training modules for both students and school staff. The focus will be on practical, hands-on learning for the most common emergency scenarios in an urban setting.
The training will cover critical areas such as:
- Evacuation procedures during fires and earthquakes.
- Proper use of fire extinguishers and other safety equipment.
- First-aid basics and emergency response coordination.
- Identifying safe zones and assembly points within school premises.
Education Minister Atishi, who was also present, highlighted that the Delhi government is integrating disaster preparedness into the very fabric of school operations. She pointed out that regular mock drills and assessments will be conducted to evaluate the readiness of each school and to identify areas for improvement. The goal is to make emergency response an automatic reflex for the entire school community.
A Model for Proactive Governance and Community Resilience
The launch of this campaign is seen as a critical intervention in urban safety planning. By starting with schools, the government aims to create a ripple effect, where trained students can carry the knowledge of safety protocols back to their families and neighborhoods. This initiative positions Delhi's government schools as potential models for institutional disaster preparedness.
The 'Disaster Ready' campaign reflects a shift from reactive to proactive governance in public safety. Instead of waiting for a tragedy to occur and then responding, the administration is taking pre-emptive measures to mitigate risks. Experts in disaster management have often stressed that such training can dramatically reduce panic, injuries, and fatalities during actual emergencies.
With this large-scale rollout, the Delhi government sets a precedent for other states to follow, underscoring that investment in safety training is as crucial as investment in academic infrastructure. The success of this campaign will ultimately be measured by the confidence and capability of every student and teacher to protect themselves and others when it matters most.
