Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 19 September 2024
In a significant step toward addressing the growing issue of substance abuse among school children, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, has launched a comprehensive training program for Master Trainers from all the three districts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The program, titled ‘NAVCHETNA: A New Consciousness on Life Skills and Drug Education for School Children,’ aims to equip trainers with the skills to identify early signs of substance abuse and provide appropriate counselling and intervention.
The NAVCHETNA initiative is a Teacher-Trainer Resource Module designed to empower educators to help school children develop essential life skills, enhance their understanding of drug education, and recognise the dangers associated with drug use. The program seeks to enable students to make safer decisions for their health by understanding the risks involved in substance abuse.
The three-day training program was inaugurated on 18th September at the Auditorium of Siksha Sadan by Ms. Sangeeta Chand, Principal of the State Institute of Education. Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Ms. Chand highlighted the importance of the NAVCHETNA Module in combating substance use among students. “This initiative will be a milestone in our efforts to tackle substance abuse and equip teachers with the necessary tools to protect students from falling victim to drug-related issues,” she stated.
Ms. Chand further stressed the alignment of the NAVCHETNA program with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes the need for curriculum reforms to promote holistic health, physical education, and overall wellness among students. “The NEP 2020 encourages educational institutions to take initiatives in fostering physical fitness, nutrition, and mental health, and NAVCHETNA is a vital part of that effort,” she added.
The program has received strong support from various departments, including the Health Department, Police Department, and Social Welfare Department. Ms. Chand expressed her gratitude to these organisations for providing expert resource persons and other essential support to ensure the success of the training for Master Trainers.
The NAVCHETNA training program is expected to play a crucial role in empowering teachers and school administrators across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, contributing to a safer and healthier environment for students.