Improving safety in schools
School lessons have been replaced with practical exercises on how to act in emergency situations
“I saw an earthquake,” quietly admits Salkynai Bakirova, who is 13 years old. “It was very scary. At night, around one o'clock, everything was shaking for five minutes: books were falling, the bed was shaking. I stood in the doorway and didn’t know what to do next.”
Today at the Osh boarding school, another training programme is being held for schoolchildren on how to respond to natural disasters. Suleiman, a staff member at the National Society of the Red Crescent, confidently leads a first aid session and talks about the dangers that can await children and adults in unforeseen situations.
“Remember how to properly take cover under a desk during an earthquake,” says Suleiman, moving the table. “This simple action can save your life.”
The schoolchildren watch attentively as Suleiman moves the furniture, revealing the safest spots in the classroom. They repeat his movements: bending down, covering their heads with their hands, and crawling under the tables. This is not just a game for them; these are essential survival skills in an area where emergencies are a frequent occurrence.
These drills have been organized by UNICEF with funding from the Government of Japan. As part of this project, volunteers from UNICEF and the Red Crescent Society of Kyrgyzstan have conducted training and simulation exercises in nearly 2,000 schools and kindergartens across the country. The main goal is to enhance school safety in emergency situations and natural disasters.
How to react to a fire
“Now imagine a fire starts. What will you do?” asks Suleiman. Abdulbasit Iishanov, 13 years old, raises his hand and answers: “You should put a wet cloth to your face and breathe through it to avoid inhaling smoke. Even clothing or socks can work as a cloth; anything you have to hand.”
Suleiman nods and continues, “Correct. Now, watch how to safely exit the building. Hold onto your classmate's shoulder and move together so no one gets lost.” He shows the children how important it is to stay calm and help each other.
The training continues outside. The children gather in a spacious schoolyard. Suleiman explains that they should avoid standing near tall buildings or poles. “It's best to go to an area with no obstacles, where there is an open space.”
Preparing for non-structural risks in schools
The assessment of non-structural risks was a crucial step towards improving safety. Suleiman and his team inspect schools, paying attention to every detail.
“We look at everything: the ventilation system, the furniture that is not fixed in place, the number of schoolchildren in the classroom,” explains Suleiman. “The children create tables, listing what they consider dangerous. This helps them not only learn but also identify risks in their everyday lives.”
It turns out that many schools lack basic equipment: fire extinguishers, corners for cabinets, artificial ventilators. These are simple but important steps that can prevent a catastrophe.
Evacuation drills and preparedness for natural hazards
Drills are conducted regularly – at least once a month. The training programme is extensive, covering a total of 97 topics. Each session brings the children closer to understanding the importance of being prepared.
“Before the children didn't think about this, but now they know how to act in emergencies,” says Suleiman.
Thirteen-year-old Kunushai Alimkulova adds: “We learned how to leave the building properly. We were warned not to stand near pictures in rooms or poles outside. It’s best to move toward open areas. We’ll definitely share this with our younger siblings at home.”
Emergency go-bag: what to pack
“Now I will tell you about the emergency go-bag,” Suleiman continues. “You should pack copies of important documents, like passports, a photo with your name, money, a first aid kit, water, seasonal food, clothing, and if there are small children then nappies, baby formula, and so on.”
The children are listening attentively.
“It's important to put a bag at the door so you can grab it quickly and leave,” adds Suleiman.
Providing first aid: vital skills
The final part was a lesson on providing first aid. The children gather in a circle and listen attentively as Suleiman explains what to do and what not to do in case of injuries.
“If someone loses consciousness, don’t try to lift a person yourself; call for help and keep the person in a safe position,” explains Suleiman.
Today, the children are learning important skills and feel responsible for their own safety. They liked that the lesson was not just theory, and they developed practical knowledge that could one day save lives.
The training was conducted with support from the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Ministry of Education and Science.
