Team Herald
PANJIM: Amidst a running awareness campaign on traffic rules and road discipline, the north educational zone has chalked out another programme to educate students on the dangers and harmful effects of alcohol and drug abuse.
The zonal office will target high school and higher secondary school students in educational institutions along the coastal belt. The reason: these students are vulnerable to addiction.
Deputy director and President of North Zone Level School Complex Committee Bhagirath Shetye said the programme will be conducted in the talukas of Pernem, Bicholim, Sattari and Bardez.
“Our main focus area will be coastal areas as a majority youngsters are exposed to the two types of additions,” he told Herald.
With alcohol found to be a major problem among the teenagers, the programme – tentatively scheduled between January 10 and 15, 2016 – has been chalked out in a manner that ensures the younger generation is convinced of its ill-effects. Teachers who will be training in this programme will subsequently spread the awareness among students and their parents through various activities.
“Drinking has become a trend among teenagers. The availability of liquor in cans has attracted the young generation. Our experts from related agencies will teach on the harmful effects of alcohol. The awareness campaign also includes risks of drug abuse,” Shetye stated.
Though schools have implemented the no-alcohol, no-drugs and no-anti social policy at campuses, on an average 20 percent of the students consume alcohol outside the premises.
The program, under the Directorate of Education’s School Complex Scheme, will have schools submitting a monthly feedback on the topic to the zonal office, so as to maintain the campaign’s continuity.
The Education department’s scheme for the north, south and central zones is implemented with an aim to bring all schools on a common platform by sharing resources like infrastructure and arriving at an 11 point programme.
