BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Primary Education Programme Authority (OPEPA) on Thursday asked all District Education Officers (DEOs) to ensure preparation of school safety plan and disaster preparedness plan at school level.
Project Director, OPEPA, Bhupendra Singh Poonia has asked all district education officers to conduct an audit at school and prepare safety and disaster preparedness plans accordingly. Poonia made it clear that the instruction is applicable to all types of schools under School and Mass Education department, SC/ST Development Department as well as aided and unaided private schools.
Poonia said all schools will have to stock first-aid box and fire extinguisher, while they also have to ensure safe drinking water facility on the school premises. The school safety plan and disaster preparedness plan needs to be done as per the guidelines of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Poonia said, adding, that constitution of school safety advisory committee and safety committee at district, block and school level also need to be ensured.Moreover, Poonia has asked all districts to provide quarterly progress report (QPR) of schools till June 30 to the government by July 7.