The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has transferred the Pakistan School Safety Framework (PSSF) to federal and provincial education departments to support its nationwide implementation and enhance school safety across the country. This major step was marked by a high-level meeting at NDMA Headquarters, aiming to ensure the framework is effectively adopted and tailored to local needs.
At the meeting, NDMA handed over the PSSF to relevant education departments and established a comprehensive technical and monitoring strategy for its rollout. A new Technical Working Group, jointly led by NDMA and the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training, with members from provincial disaster management authorities and education departments, will oversee the implementation process. This group will also coordinate with humanitarian partners, ensuring their efforts align with the PSSF, prevent duplication of work, and integrate with ongoing disaster risk reduction and climate resilience initiatives developed after the 2022 floods.
All stakeholders agreed that the current PSSF document will serve as the sole reference for future school safety projects. The framework, recognized as a nationally developed and stakeholder-endorsed guideline, is designed to remain adaptable to evolving needs. The PSSF E-Checklist was highlighted as an effective tool for conducting thorough audits of school disaster resilience, helping authorities and partners efficiently allocate resources and streamline their activities.
The session was attended by representatives from the federal and provincial ministries and departments of education, disaster management authorities, as well as local and international organizations such as UNICEF, Save the Children, UNFPA, PPAF, and the Global Alliance for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in the Education Sector. Their collaborative involvement underlines a broad commitment to making Pakistan’s schools safer and better prepared for emergencies.
