Monrovia – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), has initiated a three-day training program for school teachers and education stakeholders. The aim is to integrate disaster risk reduction and management into the school curriculum in Liberia.
By Jaheim T. Tumu
The training seeks to enhance the capacity and knowledge of teachers and educators in Liberia, enabling them to effectively incorporate Disaster Risk Reduction and Management principles into the school curriculum.
During her opening remarks, ECOWAS Resident Representative Madam Josephine Nkrumah emphasized the vulnerability of the sub-Saharan region to various hazards. Liberia, known as one of the wettest countries, faces natural risks such as floods, sea erosion, and storms, making it susceptible to hydro-meteorological hazards and natural disasters.
Madam Nkrumah explained that ECOWAS is currently implementing an action plan with a priority focus on education, training, research, and technology programs related to disaster management. She highlighted that this training will provide a platform for national stakeholders to discuss how educational policies, planning, and programs can enhance the resilience of children, youth, schools, communities, and the entire education system. This comprehensive approach to school safety and social cohesion will empower schoolchildren to understand, prepare for, and proactively address challenges within the African context.
Madam Nkrumah emphasized, “Integrating disaster risk reduction into the education sector is a cost-effective measure to mitigate the long-term impact of disasters. It prepares each new generation by incorporating disaster preparedness into the formal learning process.” She further stressed the importance of raising awareness in the school community, which leads to the construction of safer school buildings that can protect the lives of students, teachers, and school officials during disasters. These buildings often serve as safe shelters during such events.
She concluded by saying, “To increase awareness of disaster risk reduction, consolidate intervention efforts, and establish a foundation for long-term risk reduction, it is crucial to start raising awareness among future generations, especially school children and students in general.”
NDMA Executive Director, Henry O. Williams, expressed gratitude to ECOWAS for its genuine partnership in ensuring continued cooperation with the government. He outlined the program’s objective, which is to equip participants with the skills and resilience needed to address disasters effectively.
“We aim to build the capacity of teachers and administrators in disaster risk reduction within schools, enabling them to assist students,” he stated.
In a brief remark, the Secretary-General of the Liberia National Red Cross Society, Gregory T. Blamoh, urged participants to view this training as a valuable tool to make a difference. He emphasized the importance of preventing disasters rather than allowing them to occur.
With these corrections and improvements, the news story is more polished and easier to understand.