School Safety Program

Introduction

While the impacts of Climate Change have engulfed Pakistan, we see an increase in the frequency of disasters (natural and man-made). In addition, growing security challenges have proportionately increased, compelling all of us to take extraordinary safety measures in every walk of life.

The recent natural and man-made disasters have impacted educational institutions including schools, students and teachers. It is critical that school-based Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) programming be prioritized and to work with teachers, communities and children and involve them in planning to build resilience within and outside the schools ensuring that all children receive education in a protective environment.

Realizing its responsibility as an auxiliary organization of the government, the Pakistan Red Crescent has embarked on developing a wholesome program for the safety of children in schools and other education institutions. This will be a national program named as “School Safety Program”. The program is aimed at providing guidance and facilitation for maintaining minimum standards of safety and promoting “Safety Culture” for the staff and schoolchildren.

Main Achievements

• Hazard Vulnerability Children Assessment of 64 schools
• Preparation of complete guideline documents for each of the 64 schools.
• Response strategy and emergency response Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are put in place.
• School Safety communities formed preparation of route maps small schools and simulation exercises conducted.
• 24 youth duties achieved and IEC material developed.

While the impacts of Climate Change have engulfed Pakistan we see an Increasing frequency of natural disasters (natural and man-made). In addition, the growing security challenges have proportionately increased has compelled all of us to take extraordinary safety measures in every walk of life.

These recent natural and manmade disasters have negatively impacted educational institutions including schools, students and teachers. It is critical that school-based DRR programming be prioritized and to work with teachers, communities and children and involve them in planning to build resilience within and outside the schools ensuring that all children receive education in a protective environment.

Realizing its responsibility as an auxiliary Organization of the Government, the Pakistan Red Crescent has embarked on developing a wholesome program for the safety of the children in schools and other education institutions. This is a national program and named as “School Safety Program”. This program is aimed to provide guidance and facilitation for maintaining minimum standards of safety and promote “Safety Culture” for the staff and children of the Schools.

This pilot project has been started with the support of Norwegian Red Cross Society initially in Karachi and committed to do the following:-

• Vulnerability assessment of the schools
• Hazard mapping
• Prepare guidelines for minimum safety standards
• Training to the focal staff and children
• Simulation exercises on emergency response/ evacuation  
• Establishment of Red Crescent Clubs

We appeal all school Management and parents to contact Red Crescent Society for making their Education place more safer and healthy.