Children from 11 schools from different parts of the country participated in the Safe Schools project, coordinated by the National Emergency System (Sinae) and the General Directorate of Initial and Primary Education (DGEIP). The students evaluated the educational centers they attend, given the probable occurrence of an event that generates damage. The Secretary of the Presidency, Álvaro Delgado, gave them an award.
The activity took place in the auditorium of the Executive Tower. The director of Sinae, Sergio Rico, and the departmental inspector of the DGEIP Yanela Palacio also attended.
Students from schools No. 24 from Vichadero, No. 4 from Minas de Corrales, No. 3 from Tranqueras, No. 5 from Guichón, No. 89 from Ciudad del Plata, No. 19 from Bella participated. Unión, No. 52 from La Paloma, No. 40 from Pueblo Fernández, No. 7 from Villa Constitución and No. 52 from Young. These centers were selected in coordination with the municipalities that offered to implement the program.
In each of these instances, the students evaluated the existing threats and the vulnerability of the educational centers through the school safety index, prepared by Unicef. The project served to identify meeting points, emergency exits and plan what to do in the event of an event that could cause damage.
In addition, based on these diagnoses, the schools have generated instances of exchange with other institutions in the environment, such as fire departments, police stations, municipalities and mayors.
Rico explained that the evaluation goes beyond the building and infrastructure conditions of the schools. It is sought that children, teachers and parents incorporate and apply the concept of Comprehensive risk management in other settings, such as the school environment, workplaces, and the wider community.
Meanwhile, Palacio reported that the DGEIP is working to include more educational centers in the experience. In this regard, he pointed out that different high schools and technical schools have shown his interest in joining. “We are going to continue coordinating this work, because we promote the comprehensive development of each individual,” she said.
The event was the closing of the fifth edition of the Risk Reduction Week, organized by Sinae. For four days, different actors have participated in activities related to raising awareness about the issue.
Sinae prepares for the summer season
At a press conference, Rico reported that Sinae is trying to take prevention and response coordination actions quickly before the arrival of summer. “The water deficit that we have today and what is forecast makes the summer more problematic than before,” he said.
In this regard, he pointed out that work is being done with the Society of Forest Producers. “In various areas of the coast they have built landing strips for agricultural fumigation planes,” he said. In this sense, he explained that an agreement has been reached with the National Directorate of Civil Aviation (Dinacia) and the Air Force, in order to facilitate the authorization to use water to put out fires.
Likewise, it is planned to advance the ban on open-air burning to November 1. The chief revealed that each department studies, as a preventive measure, how to get water to the most remote locations, both for homes and for agricultural establishments.
