'Teachers should act promptly in disasters'

M.I. Farook - Batticaloa district group corr.

Teachers should be well aware to protect the lives of students when a disaster occurs, Education Director Central Zone Batticaloa, U.L.M. Jainudeen said.

He was addressing the inauguration ceremony of a seminar organised for teachers and Principals on disaster management at Arafa Vidyalaya, Eravur. Deputy Director of Education A. S. Nasheera presided.

Teachers and the principals should be vigilant and should act promptly to protect the lives of students when disasters occur he added.

The Eastern Province has been affected by disasters on many occasions. In 1957 heavy floods, cyclone in 1977 and man-made disasters in 1990 are some of them. Tsunami in 2004 is also another example.

Many lives were lost and properties worth several million rupees were destroyed. A large number of people became homeless and disabled due to these disasters, he added.

Many had no previous knowledge on disasters. However, awareness on disasters has increased after the tsunami, he said.

"We should safeguard ourselves. The knowledge on disasters should be given to students in schools", he said. Divisional Education officer Eravur, I.L.Z. Abdeen also spoke.