Auckland House school pioneers disaster readiness

In a pioneering move towards enhanced school safety, Auckland House School for Boys has become the first institution of its kind in Shimla to formally sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Development of Environment and Eco-Friendly Resilience Society (DOERS) — a leading Himachal Pradesh-based NGO specialising in disaster preparedness and emergency response training.

This initiative, spearheaded by Principal Reuben John, marks a significant step in embedding a culture of safety within the educational ecosystem. “While education remains our primary goal, I believe safety is its foundation. A school must be a secure space for all — students, staff and visitors alike,” said Principal John, underlining the vision behind the collaboration.

Under the MoU, the school will undertake structured training programmes for students, teachers and support staff, focusing on readiness in the face of both natural and manmade disasters. The initiative aligns with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and represents a broader commitment to community resilience and institutional responsibility.

The decision to formalise the partnership follows a successful disaster management session conducted by DOERS at the school last year. The impactful session revealed the need for a sustained, hands-on approach to disaster risk education. What began as a single awareness drive has now evolved into a comprehensive strategy to integrate safety into the daily culture of the school.