A coordinated push to strengthen school safety preparedness and deepen environmental awareness marked recent activities across the Islands, with programmes held in Nancowrie and Diglipur engaging teachers, officials and students. The initiatives, organised by different departments but aligned in purpose, underscored the administration’s emphasis on readiness, response capacity and community participation in safety-related matters.
In Nancowrie, the Block Project Office organised a one-day orientation programme for teachers at GMSS Kamorta, bringing together resource persons from police, health and fire services. The session was aimed at improving the ability of school staff to identify risks, manage emergencies and maintain a secure environment for students. Representatives from multiple departments addressed participants, offering operational guidance based on field experience and highlighting the need for consistent safety drills and clear communication protocols within schools.
A Sub-Inspector from Police Station Nancowrie briefed teachers on the role of law-enforcement in school security and the importance of vigilance in daily operations. The official explained the basic principles of safety monitoring and how schools can coordinate with local police units whenever critical situations arise. The session encouraged teachers to recognise early warning signs, document incidents and ensure that school-level safety committees function effectively.
From the health sector, a resource person from CHC Nancowrie elaborated on handling medical emergencies within school premises. The session covered common health risks, first aid response, and the need for staff to be familiar with basic life-saving steps. The importance of timely medical referrals and the value of maintaining an updated first aid kit were noted as integral components of school safety planning.
The Fire Service representative from Kamorta explained the fundamentals of fire prevention, including maintaining clear access paths, understanding building-specific risks and implementing evacuation procedures. Teachers were familiarised with the use of fire extinguishers and the priorities during an evacuation, emphasising calm communication and swift movement toward safe zones.
While the Nancowrie programme focused largely on school-based preparedness, Diglipur witnessed a different set of activities driven by environmental concerns. As part of National Pollution Control Day 2025, the Andaman & Nicobar Pollution Control Committee under the Department of Science and Technology conducted a series of awareness events at Government Senior Secondary School, Subashgram. The day is observed in memory of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 1984, an industrial disaster that continues to serve as a reminder of safety obligations in public and private sectors.
Students participated in a painting competition aimed at encouraging younger audiences to reflect on pollution control themes. Many took part, depicting ideas related to environmental responsibility and sustainable practices. Three students, Debika Halder, Diya Bairagi and Rohit Das, were declared winners, receiving certificates and cash prizes in recognition of their contributions.
Following the competition, an awareness presentation was delivered by an official from the Department of Science and Technology, explaining pollution sources, preventive measures and long-term impacts. An awareness film was also screened for students, reinforcing the message through visual learning.
Education officials present at the event distributed certificates and encouraged participants to adopt consistent habits that contribute to pollution reduction. The engagement, although focused on students, aligned with broader efforts to cultivate responsibility from an early age and develop a community oriented toward safety and environmental protection.
Together, the activities in Nancowrie and Diglipur reflect a parallel emphasis on preparedness and awareness across different segments of the education ecosystem. While teachers in Nancowrie were trained to handle emergencies and improve school safety protocols, students in Diglipur received exposure to environmental protection concepts and the significance of industrial safety. Both initiatives, despite differing themes, underline the administration’s strategy of strengthening local capacity and promoting informed participation from schools as part of larger community welfare objectives.
