Twenty-seven teachers from 10 schools in Lalitpur Metropolitan City came together for a 5-day Training of Teachers (ToT) workshop at DEPO’s Mitra Disaster Risk Reduction Learning Center (MDRRLC). The goal: learn practical and engaging ways to teach disaster preparedness, prevention, and response!
Training was broken up with ice breakers and warm-up activities. Teachers stretched, played rapport-building games, and shared laughs to refresh energy and foster a sense of teamwork.
Throughout the workshop, participants practiced different activities and drills they could later use with their students. They learned how simple and creative games can teach children about staying safe during disasters like floods or earthquakes.
On Day 3, the group welcomed Mrs. Abha Awale, Principal of Bhassara School. She shared how her school has successfully integrated disaster risk reduction into daily lessons and created an active DRR Club. Teachers were especially interested in her examples of how students have successfully involved parents and residents of Lalitpur in their DRR education through student-led community events.
Day 4 featured one of the most hands-on activities: the Flood Evacuation Map Workshop. It started with a demonstration from DEPO staff on how to create an evacuation map of your neighbourhood. Teachers learned how to mark important landmarks, safe areas, and danger zones.
Then came the fieldwork. Divided into four groups, teachers explored different sections of the surrounding neighbourhood, taking notes on what they observed. Back in the training hall, each group used markers, chart paper, or natural materials to draw up a detailed evacuation map. During presentations, everyone shared their findings and discussed how this exercise could be adapted for students.
Reflection sessions took place throughout the workshop. Teachers wrote down and discussed what they had learned and explored how to integrate their new knowledge into their schools. They shared ideas on how to teach students about disaster preparedness and involve other teachers.
By the end of the week, participants had also started drafting action plans to put their ideas into practice. As part of these plans, they decided to begin introducing DRR activities into their school schedules this year, with the goal of fully integrating them into their yearly calendars by next year.
The workshop wrapped up with a sense of achievement and readiness. Teachers left with new skills, fresh ideas, and the motivation to make disaster preparedness part of everyday learning in their schools.