Kids dive under desks, learn safety protocol as city schools do the drill
Times of India | 8 May 2025
12 Kolkata: Several schools across the city conducted extensive security drills on Wednesday, in keeping with the instruction from the ministry of home affairs, where students were trained in first response techniques and safety protocols. TOI visited some city schools to witness the drills performed by students, including NCC cadets. A La Martiniere for Boys, students of classes VI to XII participated in the drill around 11.15 am. They got a preparatory briefing in the morning assembly. Later, when the bell rang, students took cover under desks. A mock siren went off around 11.25 am and they queued up to be evacuated from four buildings to the main field under supervision of faculty members and prefects. Safety demonstrations started from 11.33 am, when NCC officials conducted a live fire drill, educating students on the correct method of using extinguishers. After this, healthcare professionals held a session on basic first-aid techniques, including a demonstration of CPR. The drill concluded with a final alarm at 11.45 am.You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in KolkataAt La Martiniere for Girls, the drill began at 12.30 pm when students from classes VI to XII, led by senior prefects, assembled at the school ground. Following a brief introductory speech, they were shown how to use fire extinguishers. They were also taught to "drop under the desk" in an emergency. With a three-count siren, the evacuation was signalled at 12.47 pm. The entire drill concluded within 17 minutes.La Martiniere Schools secretary Supriyo Dhar said, "The students were shown what should be done during air raids, fire, medical emergency, and evacuation. About 4,000 students took part in the drills organised by the NCC wing along with teachers."At Delhi Public School, Ruby Park, 75 students from classes VIII and IX, including 32 NCC cadets, assembled in the hall for the drill around noon. The students were shown a video on precautionary measures. During a mock siren, the students moved under desks for cover. Principal Joyoti Chaudhuri said, "Given the current situation, we decided it was necessary to conduct the security drill for students. The NCC wing of our school arranged everything." The drill at Future Foundation School, between 10.30 am and 1.45 pm, included air-raid siren tests, evacuation procedures, and blackout simulations between 10.30 am and 1.45 am. When the alarm went off, students inside classrooms ducked under benches, covering their ears while those outside classrooms took cover elsewhere on the school premises. There was a second alarm, signalling the all-clear or rescue stage where the children were asked to rise and check if anyone needed help."When we were young, this kind of drill was common. But today's children are not accustomed to sirens and blackouts. That is the reason we organised this security drill," said principal Ranjan Mitter. Avipsa Chatterjee, a class X student, said, "We received a briefing about the activity before the drill."Drills were also conducted at Aditya Academy Senior Secondary School in Dum Dum and Aditya Academy Secondary School in Barasat. Kasturi Kejriwal, chief operating officer, Aditya Group, said, "Regular drills help instil confidence, awareness, and enable quick response in times of emergency."