Guj schools to hold safety audits: Modi

Ahmedabad, Jan 18 (UNI) Chief Minister Narendra Modi today said all schools in Gujarat, both private and public, will have to undertake a 'School Safety' audit every three years.

Stating this, after inaugurating the three-day International School Safety Conference, being held here, Mr Modi said his government will soon declare a policy document on safety measures that will be implementable by all schools in the state.

The document is being prepared in consultation with the disaster management experts from India and abroad, and will be declared shortly, he said.

Mr Modi said disaster management courses have been included in the school syllabus.

The conference on school safety, being held for the first time in India, is being attended by officials of World Bank, United Nations, and representatives from USA, Britain, France, Algeria, Japan, Iran, Nepal and other organisations.

Speaking on the occasion, World Bank country director Rachid Benessaoud appreciated Gujarat goverment's efforts on disaster management and suggested it should encourage people's participation.

He said World Bank would lend its support, if needed, for the scheme.

UNI