News & Event

The Ministry of Education has started implementing a training program in risk management and emergency situations in various educational directorates, targeting school principals, their assistants, and administrative supervisors in public and private schools. The program aims to develop the knowledge and skills of the teaching staff in risk and emergency management according to the procedures and roles included in the Ministry of Education’s emergency management policy that are consistent with the national strategy for emergency management.

We met with the school principals participating in this training program to talk about the most important procedural plans that will be implemented in schools, and how to educate students and their parents about these plans and strategies.

Asia Al-Hassani, principal of Yanabi Al-Hikma Basic Education School in South Al Batinah Governorate, said: “The importance of having a security and safety team in the school lies in making the right decision in the most difficult situations, away from randomness, through skills and capabilities that transform an emergency into a situation that can be dealt with in complete wisdom, and also through educating students in school radio programs, investing in reserve periods by watching awareness programs about security and safety, activating school security and safety activities in school events, spreading the culture of risk management and emergency situations in the local community through educational meetings with parents, targeted electronic awareness through social media, and always involving parents in the challenges facing school communities, and making them an essential element and a link between the home, school and society. The matrix of risk management and emergency situations in schools also requires culture and continuous awareness; all school employees should realize the importance of dealing with risks and implementing school safety procedures in any circumstance that occurs in the school building. This is done by preparing a ready operational plan for any emergency such as: student density, weather conditions, electrical short circuits, and traffic safety on buses, as well as enrolling teachers and students in training sessions throughout the school year in this field.”

Abdullah Shamas, prinsipal of Ardeet Basic Education School in Dhofar Governorate, said: “Having a team concerned with multiple risks in schools is important; this is to collect relevant information, provided that this team receives sufficient training in dealing with risks as much as possible in cooperation with a group of trainers and specialists from the Civil Defense teams, doctors specializing in rescue operations, and first aid; to train teachers, students, and school workers to quickly deal with emergencies, and to get out with the least possible damage, if not complete safety.” He concluded with a message, saying: “Every institution must devote part of its work and tasks to risk management and emergency situations; in order to avoid loss, or mitigate it, whether in lives or material, and to be familiar with the concepts and circumstances of multiple risks, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, fires, suffocation, and others.”

Sheikha Al Mahrazi, principal of Al Saidiya Basic Education School in Muscat Governorate, spoke about the importance of having a team of teachers trained in risk and emergency management in every school, saying: “The presence of this team in schools is of great importance, as it is represented in maintaining the safety of students and staff. Trained teachers can deal quickly and efficiently with emergency situations such as: fires, injuries, and natural disasters to ensure everyone’s safety and respond effectively to cases, as the event leader (school principal) can, after consulting with team members, make the right decisions in times of emergency, which reduces the impact of negative events. The presence of this team contributes to reducing anxiety, enhancing confidence, and reassurance among students, teachers, and parents, as everyone knows that there is a trained team ready to deal with any emergency. She pointed out on the topic of awareness, saying: “Students and parents are educated about security and safety procedures in the school environment by providing a set of training and awareness sessions that target students and their parents, such as: educating them about managing some common risks such as: fires, and conducting periodic evacuation drills, so that students and their parents know the most important and correct steps for evacuation in case of fires, as well as training them in first aid, and emphasizing to the parents the importance of their role in promoting this culture at home, and the necessity of following these security procedures at home and school. Awareness is also raised by distributing brochures or leaflets explaining the most important security and safety instructions, and how to act in emergency situations.”

Saif Al Shakili, principal of Rashid bin OmairahBasic Education School in the South Al Batinah Governorate, mentioned the importance of having a team concerned with risk management and emergency situations, saying: “The importance of having this team lies in raising the level of readiness in the institution, raising the level of security, and coming out with the least damage. The presence of this team also helps to spread the culture of dealing with risks and crises inside and outside the school community, with the formation of work teams according to the organized strategy for risk management with continuous training.” He concluded, saying: “Everyone must pay attention to the importance of risk management and emergency situations, and take the initiative each in their field of specialization, and benefit from direct meetings, and invest in social media by presenting approved visual, audio, and written materials on the importance of crisis and risk management.”

Fatima Al Amri, principal of Qalat Al Fikr Basic Education School in Dhofar Governorate, stressed on the importance of training on risk management in schools, saying: “School staff will be trained on risk management strategies, which are: identifying risks, analyzing, and evaluating them, planning for risk response, and developing procedures for dealing with risks, and all these stages of risk management are detailed. There must be also a guide on security and safety in the school, which should include the evacuation plan and training on it, developing specific emergency plans on how to act with identifying the type of emergency cases, following up on the monitoring system, securing buildings and facilities, in addition to providing awareness programs for students and their parents about personal safety and how to deal with potential risks. The topic of risk management and emergency cases is one of the important topics that should be highlighted, as it has become necessary for all to be able to use strategies and skills in crisis management, especially in schools.”

Sulaiman Al Tobi, principal of Izki Heights Primary School in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, pointed out the strategies that will be implemented for teachers and students, saying: “The strategies for training teachers and students include several effective steps, among which is a comprehensive training program that develops teachers’ readiness to face crises, and lectures and seminars organized for students to educate them about personal safety and how to act in times of emergency through interactive training scenarios that enhance their skills in facing risks and crises. Risk and emergency management is not just an administrative procedure, but an essential part of the educational process through investing in training and awareness, and schools can ensure a safe educational environment. The more prepared the school community is, the faster and more effective the response will be, which contributes to saving lives and enhancing academic achievement.”