Gujarat schools alert students to dangers of firecrackers

While students are extremely excited that they have a long Diwali holiday ahead and no classes, schools in the city are on a drive to ensure their students tread on the side of caution, explaining to them the ill-effects of firecrackers. Just before the festive holiday, teachers are instructing students about the dos and don’ts for the coming days.

While Diwali vacations have already begun at some schools in the city, most will begin theirs this weekend. However, every school has had at least one session with their students to break the notion of Diwali being synonymous with firecrackers.

At most schools, special assemblies giving out precautions like wearing cotton outfits, carrying water while going closer to firecrackers and children always being accompanied by elders, were held.

SA Jayaraj, principal of Hebron Secondary School said, “A special assembly was kept, where teachers advised students not to celebrate with firecrackers.” The major ill-effects of the crackers include noise and environment pollution, he said.

Going a step further, Delhi Public School (DPS), Bopal has conveyed its safety message to students through dance, music and speeches. The school’s preicipal, Vandana Joshi said, “Primary school students should be cautioned about firecrackers very creatively. The school hosted skits, dance and other interesting activities which showcased what care should be taken when one uses firecrackers.”

In addition, Joshi said that Diwali celebrations at their school also emphasised on animal safety. “Before burning firecrackers, everybody should think about animal safety. Firecrackers are very harmful to animal life around,” she added.

Even at CN Vidyalaya, a one-act play and other skits where students enacted their concern about pollution and caution to be taken by everyone were orgainsed before the holidays.

Meanwhile, Jayshri Joshi, principal of Sattva Vikas School said, “Greetings were exchanged among students, with all the messages that teachers had to give to their students, before the holidays.”