National Curriculum Development Department of the Ministry of Educaiton and Scinece of Georgia arranged a closing event of “Integration of Disaster Risk Reduction Component  in Education” – a grant project financed by the UNICEF.

The event was opened by Deputy Minister of Educaiton Lia Gigauri and Natia Jokhadze, Head of National Curriculum Development Department.

The goal of the Project was to raise awareness of pupils and citizens in general, regarding natural disasters and school safety issues.  Georgia is located in the region of high risks in terms of natural disasters. Citizens’ perception of the risks is insufficient. Thus, the Project is very important  in order to gain knowledge and acquire readiness skills.

Up to 23 000 people were involved in the Project, among them – 400 pupils from Tbilisi schools and from 10 pilot schools of four regions of Georgia (Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Samtskhe-Javaheti, Racha-Lechkhumi/Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo/Zemo Svaneti).

Specialists/Trainers of Emergency Situations Management Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs conducted trainings in the selected schools within the framework of the Project. The schools were also equipped with special tools for emergency situations. A training pack was created for trainers – teaching disaster risk reduction with interactive methods.

One of the project components envisaged creation of electronic games on natural disasters for pupils on the elementary level.  Electronic product covers five natural and technogenic disasters (landslide, earthquake, flood, hurricane, fire). Age and psychological mood of the pupils is taken into consideration (I-VI grades).