Delhi is preparing for one of its most extensive school safety initiatives in recent years. The Delhi government, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), will roll out a citywide School Safety Campaign on November 25. This programme aims to make more than 2,000 schools better equipped to respond to emergencies, protect students, and reduce disaster-related risks.
A Major Push for School Safety
For many years, experts have warned that schools in Delhi face several hazards. These include earthquakes, fire accidents, extreme heat conditions, stampedes, and crowd management risks during events. Because of this, the government wants to create a strong safety culture across all schools. The new campaign is designed to introduce practical, easy-to-follow steps that even schools with limited resources can adopt.
Officials emphasise that the programme will help protect students and staff while also encouraging schools to maintain disaster-ready systems throughout the year. It supports NDMA’s broader “School Contact Programme”, which began after the authority hired a private agency in October to assist with implementation.
How the Programme Was Designed
A high-level meeting on November 3 finalised the programme structure. The campaign will cover 2,082 government and private schools by mid-January. Because of its large scale, the programme has been divided into a structured two-day module for each school.
What Each School Will Learn
Every school will go through a variety of learning and training activities, such as:
- Preparing Disaster Management Plans
- Conducting awareness sessions for students and teachers
- Watching a short educational film on disaster risk reduction
- Engaging in interactive discussions with trained experts
- Forming or strengthening School Disaster Management Committees
- Completing preparedness mapping exercises
- Conducting evacuation drills
- Performing earthquake mock drills as per NDMA guidelines
These steps will allow schools to understand their risks better and respond faster during emergencies. In addition, the activities will help students learn safe behaviour in a simple and engaging way.
Daily Routine and Pledge for Safety
To instill discipline and responsibility, each school will begin its training day with the recitation of “Vande Mataram”. This will be followed by a School Safety Pledge, which encourages students and staff to commit to maintaining a safe environment. The government believes that these practices will help build a shared sense of awareness and unity.
Speed and Scale of the Rollout
The implementing agency will cover around 70 schools per day. Because of this rapid pace, the entire programme is expected to finish in 35 to 40 working days. Teams will visit schools across all districts, ensuring that the campaign reaches diverse communities, from central Delhi to semi-urban zones.
To maintain clarity and coordination, deputy directors of education in every district will work closely with the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). Schools must also fully document each activity and submit their reports with photographs. Zonal offices will compile these reports before sending them to the Directorate of Education by January 20.
Why This Campaign Matters Now
School safety has become a major topic of concern across India. Several incidents in recent years, including fire breakouts, building collapses, and extreme weather events, have highlighted the urgent need for disaster-ready campuses. Consequently, the Delhi government wants every school to adopt strong, uniform safety standards.
This programme is not only about drills. It also aims to:
- Strengthen infrastructure-related awareness
- Improve coordination with district-level disaster units
- Promote faster response times
- Train teachers to manage emergencies calmly
- Ensure that students know how to act immediately during crises
Potential Long-Term Benefits
Authorities believe that this initiative could transform school safety across Delhi. If schools follow the new procedures consistently, they will reduce risks and handle emergencies more effectively. Over time, these practices can become long-term safety habits for students and teachers.
In addition, the campaign may serve as a model for other Indian states. Because it covers thousands of schools in a short time, it demonstrates how large-scale safety training can be both practical and impactful.
Launch Event
The campaign will officially launch at Springdales School, Pusa Road, with invitations sent to the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister. Their presence aims to highlight the importance of school safety and encourage maximum participation.
A Step Toward a Safer Future
With this initiative, Delhi aims to move closer to building safe, resilient, and prepared school communities. The government hopes the campaign will mark the beginning of long-term improvements, ensuring that every child studies in a secure environment and every teacher knows how to respond during a crisis.