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What NCERT’s saying?  Why did the NCERT feel the need to incorporate natural disaster management in the school curriculum?  Prof Jaishree Sharma: Natural disaster management was always a part of the NCERT curriculum. Not as a separate topic but with slight undertones taught through activities, case studies, anecdotes, newspaper clippings and examples. However, this is only done for the senior classes, because NCERT does not want the younger students to become a part of these processes, lest they put their life in danger. The younger student are simply taught the dos and dont’s. The component of natural disaster management has been introduced through the textbooks of geography and sociology, should this be a part of all disciplines taught at school? Prof Jaishree Sharma: It’s a part of all the science subjects, geography, sociology and psychology. But this cannot be done at the cost of ‘diluting’ the subject. Secondly, our textbooks can only have limited content; the priority is to give the students as much information on the main subject as possible. Are the schools in any way equipping the students with the special skills and knowledge required to tackle the situations, which arise out of natural disasters? Prof Jaishree Sharma: The senior classes are given guidance about the government agencies. which they can contact, for information and related needs, while the junior classes stick to the basic dos and don’ts. What would be the right way to prepare the students to handle these disasters, intellectually as well as practically? Prof Jaishree Sharma: Social awareness and active citizenship can be facilitated through bodies like CSE (Centre for Science and Environment) and CEE (Centre for Environment Education). Short films/clips on issues of disaster management could be played during free periods, which could prove to be a great learning tool. GT would love to know the students’ side of the story. They should be the chief speakers in this debate, and the most important player in the education system. What do you have to say about this? Are you concerned about yours and your family’ssafety and would you like to know more? Or do you already know enough? Panditji@cseindia.org Centre for Science and Environment 41, Tughlakabad Institutional Area New Delhi – 110062
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