In an unprecedented move to strengthen disaster preparedness among schoolchildren, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), in collaboration with the Department of School Education, Government of Assam, and supported by UNICEF Assam as knowledge partner have successfully organized the Great Assam School Shakeout Programme (GASSP) a massive statewide earthquake and fire evacuation drill.
The programme, inaugurated on October 16, 2025, to mark International Shakeout Day was officially launched by Keshab Mahanta, Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, Government of Assam.
The initiative stands out as one of Assam’s largest school safety outreach programmes, engaging more than 7 lakh students from 1,936 schools across 157 revenue circles in 35 districts.
The Great Assam School Shakeout was designed not just as a drill, but as a movement to instill safety consciousness and life-saving skills among students, teachers, and school staff. By simulating earthquake and fire evacuation procedures, the exercise aimed to familiarize participants with practical steps for safe and quick response during emergencies.
Speaking at the launch, officials emphasized that the programme is part of a sustained effort to create a culture of preparedness in schools. It focused on training School Disaster Management Committees, School Safety Task Teams, and Focal Point Teachers, helping them identify gaps in resources and response mechanisms.
The coordinated drill also strengthened linkages between schools, local authorities, and community volunteers, ensuring that preparedness extends beyond the classroom to the larger community.
Through this statewide exercise, ASDMA reaffirmed its commitment to making Assam a disaster-resilient state, recognizing schools as key drivers of behavioral change in promoting awareness and proactive disaster risk reduction. The initiative also empowered students to act as ambassadors of safety, spreading disaster preparedness practices within their homes and communities.
ASDMA has encouraged all educational institutions to adopt regular preparedness and safety activities as part of their routine, reinforcing the belief that awareness and readiness are the most effective shields against natural disasters.
