Samagra Shiksha official calls for collective efforts to prevent drug abuse among students

Samagra Shiksha State Project Director B. Srinivasa Rao on Wednesday stressed the need for a collective effort to prevent drug abuse among students.

Addressing teachers, officials and experts from various fields participating in the three-day State-level workshop on “Drugs Vaddu Bro” initiative, organised by the Department of School Education under the aegis of Samagra Shiksha, Mr. Rao said that a handbook proposed on drug abuse prevention should be designed innovatively rather than as a conventional textbook, with the primary objective of creating awareness among students. He also emphasised the importance of developing age-appropriate Information and Education and Communication (IEC) material suited to different student groups.

“Children today are growing up in a vastly different social, educational and digital environment compared to previous generations,” he noted and urged parents and teachers to understand the emotional and psychological needs of children and provide them timely guidance and support. He said education should not be limited to academics alone, but should also focus on developing life skills, emotional regulation and decision making abilities among students.

The Samagra Shiksha official encouraged the effective use of digital media to spread awareness on drug abuse and its prevention in schools. He suggested that awareness activities be conducted through classroom sessions, awareness campaigns, skits, parent meetings and other interactive programmes. “Protecting the present and future generations from the dangers of drug abuse is a shared responsibility,” he emphasised and urged teachers, parents, officials and staff of the School Education Department, the Health Department, the Police Department, subject experts and every section of society to work together in building drug-free schools.

The workshop was attended by the Planning wing Director D. Madhusudana Rao, Programming Coordinator and Nodal Officer V. Vijaya Durga, B. Suresh Kumar from the State Institute of Educational Management and Training (SIEMAT), officials from the Department of School Education, SCERT, Samagra Shiksha and others.