Srinagar December 26 (KNB): ELFA International in collaboration with Directorate of School Education, Kashmir organised an awareness cum School Safety Kits distribution program under its “Safe and Inclusive Schools Project” here at Directorate of School Education on Monday.
According to the statemen issued to news agency Kashmir News Bureau-KNB, the program aimed at raising the awareness of the participants on matters of School Safety and Inclusion, besides distributing the “School Safety Kits” among the heads of institutions from 50 Schools of the Kashmir region.
Dr. Tassaduq Hussain Mir (JKAS), Director School Education was the chief guest on the occasion. Among others present on the occasion were Nisar Ahmad Dar, Divisional Coordinator DSEK, Mehran Khan, CEO ELFA International, other team members from ELFA International and the Head of Institutions from various districts of the valley.
The programme started with a Ladishah performance by Ms Syed Areej, field coordinator at ELFA International. In her entertaining and awakening performance, Areej made a warm welcome to guests, besides highlighting the importance and indispensability of Safe and Inclusive Schools. Her Ladishah depicting the phenomenon of Chillai Kalan in Kashmir enchanted the audience present. She also spoke on the dedicated work, ELFA International has been doing on the front of Safe Schools Program in the entire UT of J&K. She also elaborated upon the various components of School Safety like DRR, GBV, EVAC, IPC, MHM, WASH, MHPSS and ESCC etc
Nisar Ahmad Dar emphasised the need of such programs and activities in ensuring the safety of school going children and to shield them against any possible structural risks and dangers.
He praised the work of ELFA International on its inclusive, exhaustive and comprehensive approach to school safety.
He sensitised the participants present on the various dimensions of Safety and in particular the safety of children. He also expressed his wish to collaborate with ELFA International on any such programs aiming at School Safety across J&K and expressed his readiness to extend every possible support.
Mehran Khan, CEO ELFA International, in his remarks thanked the Directorate, the participants and the officials of eminence present on the occasion. He praised the role of DSEK in enhancing and easing the implementation of School Safety Program in the UT.
He elucidated the tangible and intangible components of school safety and emphasised the need to look at the intangible components in particular.
He said that the Safe and Inclusive School program and the School Safety kits distributed is a one in the ongoing and infinite series of programs conducted by ELFA International on School Safety.
He reiterated the commitment of ELFA International to work for the cause of Safe Schools till it reaches the last student in the last village of the UT of J&K. Dr. Tassaduq Hussain Mir (JKAS), Director School Education, spoke on the need and necessity of Safe and Inclusive Schools, emphasising that no educational endeavour is complete until it is not conceived within the perimeters of safety and inclusion. Recollecting the role of ELFA International in terms of its tireless efforts to make schools safer and inclusive and to sensitise kids on the different parameters of School Safety, he said that ELFA International has been doing a wonderful job and has laid down a benchmark by standardising the School Safety Program. He said that the department will always be ready to collaborate on such activities and for that matter any activity aiming at the enhancement of school environment and the well being of students. statement added
He appreciated the work of ELFA International in general and School Safety in particular The Program concluded with “School Safety Kits” comprising of fire extinguishers and other necessary items presented by ELFA International to fifty Heads of Institutions present on the occasion.
They were also given a brief orientation on the safe school manual and posters which were distributed among the participants. This is in conformity with the commitment of ELFA International towards School Safety in the UT of J&K. Statement further said (KNB)