Be equipped with first aid skills, teachers urged

GOVERNMENT has urged teachers to be fully equipped with first aid skills and help avert disasters when they occur in schools.

Deputy Director Responsible for Primary Schools in Mashonaland West province, Mr Peter Nhizira, said this while addressing 25 teachers who received training in disaster risk management (DRM) and first aid to improve their capacity to deal with disasters.

The training programme was facilitated by Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS).

“Each school in the province must have a fully trained first aid teacher. The province is always prone to disasters and if our teachers are equipped we can tackle them,” he said.

Director in Provincial Administrator’s office, Mrs Kumbirai Karombe said schools should mobilise first aid material.

“School Development Committees and management should make sure they avail first aid kits so as to assist when emergencies occur. They should always be in place no matter what circumstances,” she said.

Speaking at the same meeting, ZRCS human resources and administration director, Mr Elias Hwenga, said communities which are usually prone to disasters should also receive first aid training.

“In areas that are mostly affected by disasters, locals should also be trained as that will help prevent future accidents as well as addressing those that may occur.”

The programmes, which are meant to prepare communities on disaster preparedness, were carried out countrywide.

At least three to four teachers per school are being trained, according to Red Cross officials.