The number of members of the Ministry of National Education Search and Rescue Unit (MEB AKUB) teams, established by the Ministry of National Education and consisting entirely of volunteer teachers, has reached 10 thousand.
After 2021 was declared as the "Disaster Education Year", the Ministry of National Education established MEB AKUB, which carries out coordinated work with AFAD, consisting of teachers in 81 provinces. MEB AKUB has undertaken important duties in every field needed in disaster areas since the day it was established.
In schools and institutions, taking preventive and restrictive measures in possible disasters and emergencies, managing processes meticulously in accordance with plans, harmonizing the approach of responsible actors and developing a disaster and emergency culture are aimed at MEB AKUB. Activities are carried out to disseminate correct behavior patterns before, during and after disasters and to provide knowledge and skills on basic precautions.
In addition to search and rescue training conducted in coordination with AFAD, teachers receive comprehensive training such as training trainers in the fields of “amateur radio use”, “drone”, “CBRN”, “disaster search, rescue and evacuation trainer training courses”, “basic disaster awareness training”, “fire training”, “disaster awareness training and emergency team training”.
In addition, the Ministry aims to cooperate with relevant organizations to increase the operational capabilities of MEB AKUB, which has 83 teams across Turkey, and to make it more disaster-ready.
“Disaster leaders in charge of schools” will be trained
Under the coordination of the Ministry, MEB AKUB teams made intensive efforts for the eleven provinces affected by the earthquake. MEB AKUB, which worked with 5 thousand people in the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes, which were described as the “disaster of the century,” participated in search and rescue efforts at the rubble, while psychological counselors and guidance teachers provided psychosocial support to citizens affected by the earthquake, especially children.
With the fact that Turkey is an “earthquake country,” the participation of volunteer teachers in MEB AKUB has increased rapidly and the number of members of the teams has increased to 10 thousand.
“Technical solution teams” were formed to improve the physical conditions of undamaged schools to continue education and training activities, to control occupational health and safety, to analyze risks and hazards, and to fix simple malfunctions.
“Technical Solution Teams” consisting of 71 teams from 30 provinces to provide service in the provinces affected by the earthquake fixed 2 electrical faults and repaired 231 pieces of furniture in the region.
On the other hand, the Ministry of National Education will train “disaster leaders in charge of schools” in 56 schools across the country by the end of this year in order to provide “Disaster Awareness Training”.
