WORKSHOP ON "EARTHQUAKE SAFER SCHOOLS"
ArmRadio.am
20.03.2007 12:24
A two-day workshop "Earthquake Safer Schools" organized on March 13-14
by UNICEF jointly with a team of trainers from the UN International
Secretariat for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) and Central Asia Earthquake
Safety Initiative (CARESI) brought together representatives of the
Ministry of Education, the National Institute of Education, the Crisis
Management Academy, the Armenian Red Cross, school administrators
and teachers to discuss how to ensure that schools and communities
are better prepared for an earthquake. The workshop was funded by
the European Community Humanitarian Office.
"Disasters, including earthquakes, can happen anywhere at any
time. Given their impact on children, their families and their
communities, we have an obligation to prepare for them beforehand,
and not just respond to them once they occur," UNICEF Representative
Sheldon Yett said, addressing the workshop participants.
Educational institutions and properly trained school administrators,
teachers and children have an important role to play in preparing for,
and mitigating the consequences of an earthquake. "We know well that
the earthquake threatened communities need earthquake resistant schools
to protect the lives of the children. However, community participation
and education are equally necessary to make mitigation and disaster
preparedness work, and effective communication and cooperation between
local officials, emergency specialists and the education community
is key", the UNICEF Representative stressed.
Children also share information that they learn in schools with other
members of their community.
With the support of UNICEF, the Ministry of Education has already
introduced "life skills" in the basic education curriculum. Life
skills are skills which can help children make informed decisions,
communicate effectively, and develop coping and self-management
skills. The material includes lessons on disaster preparedness.
Among other topics, the workshop addressed such important issues as
the role of school administrators in developing practical contingency
plans, and the roles of teachers and other community members as first
responders while awaiting support from rescue services.
"It is important that the Ministry of Education and the National
Institute of Education closely cooperate with the Crisis Management
Academy in further improving the knowledge and skills of school
administrators and teachers on disaster preparedness and response,"
Deputy Director of the National Institute of Education Vardan
Ghandilyan pointed out, adding that there is a wealth of resources
on disaster preparedness and response already available.
"Recent international experience has shown that, as was true in the
last major earthquake in Armenia in 1988, children in schools are
sometimes among the most vulnerable" Sheldon Yett emphasized.