Teachers’ orientation on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction
The Hyogo Frame work of Action 2005-2015 for building resilience of nations and communities to disasters recognizes the use of knowledge, innovation and education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels. It also prioritizes strengthening disaster preparedness for effective response at all levels.

Climate change being considered to enhance the frequency of natural disasters in the near future. The impact of climate change in the Indian Himalayan region is well predicted through various national and international reports including the IPCC report.

Through orientation programmes the capacity of teachers can be built for understanding disasters better, learn various skills towards preparedness and an overall alertness to face the situation. Teachers of primary, middle and high schools from five districts in Kashmir valley are being oriented. Not only teachers but the district level trainers are also trained. Two hundred eighty teachers from Kupawara district were trained recently through 5 training programmes conducted at different locations. These trainings give a  basic understanding of changing dynamics of Global climate and sporadic shifts in weather patterns and how we as individual can become more responsible in creating an environment based on Sustainability as the resources are finite and needs unlimited. It will help teachers gain sufficient insight on climate change to implement changes in their school and students and instill a sense of social responsibility towards the environment amongst their students.

Teachers understand Disaster Risk Reduction and importance of preparedness and education in reducing the risks. They practice making disaster management plan for their schools identifying common hazards of the region, safe places and unsafe places in the school premise for various disasters, evacuation routes for different classes, sequence of younger and senior children, distance and contact numbers of emergency services like fire, ambulance, health, police, army etc.   

Multi media tools like films, slideshows, mobile exhibition, charts and posters are used during the trainings and educational games, demonstration activities etc provide hands on opportunity to teachers. The training module is tailor made as interactive and open session workshops. The programme is very well being received by the Education department, teachers and students. Remote and untouched locations are identified for trainings which give exposure to those teachers who generally don’t get such opportunities due to remoteness.

Earlier above 400 teachers of Primary schools, Middle schools and High Schools from Uri and Tangdar, the worst hit areas on Indian side of Kashmir were trained on identification of trauma symptoms and ways to provide psychosocial care; science of earthquakes, do’s and don’ts; participatory teaching learning methodologies; ‘What, Why and How’ of environment education etc.

Support:
WeltHungerHilfe (German Agro Action or GAA)
Plant India