Disaster, Pandemic Management To Be Part Of Curriculum In Odisha Schools, Colleges And Govt Jobs Selection

With India being battered by a series of cyclones alongside the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, the Odisha government in a first is planning to include disaster and pandemic management in the curriculum of schools and colleges as well as in the government recruitment process in preparedness for future contingencies.

A resolution in this regard was passed at a Council of Ministers meet chaired by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik who claimed that the world has changed its perception about Odisha's ability to deal with disasters in the course of the last two decades. There was a time when the state evoked pity over its handling of natural calamities and disasters, but today the Odisha model of disaster management draws global admiration, he added.

Mr. Patnaik stressed the need to create a massive knowledge infrastructure in the State that will make everyone a warrior in preparedness towards disaster and pandemic management.

Disaster, Pandemic Management In Odisha Curriculum

In leading to this, a resolution passed by the Odisha council of ministers said, "Today, we are taking a futuristic decision. We will train our people on how to deal with known emergencies and how to respond to situations where the outcome cannot be predicted. From now on, disaster and pandemic management as part of the curriculum in high school & colleges."

"We will train every Government employee on the fundamental nature of different kinds of disaster and pandemic management. Government jobs and recruitment will have a mandatory syllabus on disaster and pandemic management," the resolution further added.

It was also decided that the elected representatives - from ward members to chief minister will be trained on disaster and pandemic management, and equip them with the necessary knowledge.

In regard to this Council of Ministers resolved to undertake systematic and detailed training programmes in making Odisha a leading state in disaster preparedness - ready to tackle any disaster whether it's biological or climatic.