PR No. 55
Consultative Meeting of Pakistan School Safety Framework Roll-out and Integration in Education Sector Plans in Punjab
Islamabad: November 08, 2019


National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) organized the Consultative Meeting of Pakistan School Safety Framework Roll-out and Integration in Education Sector Plans in Punjab on 5-6 November. The objectives of the Consultation were to: 1. To launch the roll-out of the PSSF at the Provincial level 2. Engage PDMAs, education sector partners and all relevant stakeholders on the same platform for provincial ownership of the programme 3. Sensitise stakeholders regarding their subsequent roles and responsibilities in the scale-up of PSSF across Punjab. 4. To discuss challenges expected in integration of PSSF in education sector plans Minister for Higher Education and IT, Raja Yasir Humayun Sarfaraz, Minister for Education, Mr. Murad Raas, Minister for Disaster Management, Mian Khalid Mehmood, Deputy Secretaries from Higher Education Department and Literacy Department Punjab graced the occasion. 60 participants from NDMA, PDMA Balochistan, Punjab & Sindh, technical partner UNICEF Pakistan, School Education Department Punjab, L&NFBE Punjab, Higher Education Department, Punjab Education Foundation, Technical & Vocational Training Authority, Pakistan Alliance for Independent Schools( PAIS), Rescue 1122, Pakistan Girl Guides Association, Civil Defence, Pakistan Curriculum and & Textbook Board, British Council, PMIU-PESRP, Special Monitoring Unit, CM Punjab Office, SAHE (Society for Advancement of Education) attended the meeting. The agenda of the Consultation was to apprise the participants about the school safety initiative and discuss way forward of its implementation in Punjab and integration of the same in education sector plans. Provincial stocktakes of the school safety initiative, its implementation in Punjab School Safety Plan of Action and alignment with PSSF were discussed. Stakeholder mapping, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders for effective roll-out and ways to overcome present challenges was carried out through group work and dialogue. Action points to achieve and enhance School Safety through the implementation of PSSF at a provincial level were identified, along with role of relevant federal/provincial stakeholders and their collective/individual responsibilities. It was agreed that effective coordination is essential to achieve progress on key outcomes of the PSSF roll-out and its integration in Education Sector Plans. Minister for Education, Mr. Murad Raas extended his full support in this regard while also highlighting the significance of structural mitigation through appropriate design and construction of schools. Appreciating the efforts of NDMA, he said that children are the future of the country and provision of a safe school environment to them is of paramount importance. Mr. Idrees Mehsud, Member Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), NDMA stressed that provincial ownership of the PSSF as directed by the Prime Minister in the 5th meeting of NDMC on 28th March, 2018 is imperative for the successful roll-out of the programme in Punjab and strengthens Pakistan’s commitment to the implementation of international frameworks that aim at incorporating DRR in the education sector.
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