Empowering Students in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR): Insights from a School Mock Drill Initiative in South West Khasi Hills, Meghalaya

Empowering Students in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR): Insights from a  School Mock Drill Initiative in South West Khasi Hills, Meghalaya

Dr. Ebormi S. Langshiang 1,2* and Ambiangmiki S. Langshiang 3
District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), South West Khasi Hills District, Mawkyrwat, India

State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), Meghalaya, Shillong, India North Eastern Space Application Centre (NESAC), Meghalaya, India

* Correspondence: masanlangshiang@gmail.com

Abstract

With an emphasis on a number of school safety simulation drills conducted at various schools in the South West Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya, this article assesses the implementation of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in educational institutions. In collaboration with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) conducted these exercises to provide teachers and students with critical disaster preparedness and response skills. The study highlights how important such initiatives are to safeguarding children's rights, guaranteeing their safety in line with the Right to Education (RTE) Act (2009), and abiding by national and international laws pertaining to disaster relief and child welfare. The findings underscore the education sector's importance in disaster resilience development, as well as how these drills equip students to take active roles during disasters. The Education Department is advised to continue and expand on these activities.

Keywords

Disaster Risk Reduction, School Safety, Mock Drill, Child Rights, Right to Education (RTE) Act, National Policy on Disaster Management, School Disaster Management Plan, Capacity Building, Inclusive Education, South West Khasi Hills, Education Department.