GMCH training on epilepsy for govt schools teachers
Guwahati: In a pioneering initiative to create '
epilepsy smart schools
' in Assam, the neurology department at
Gauhati Medical College
& Hospital (GMCH) commenced training for approximately 150 govt school teachers in Kamrup district on Wednesday.
The programme is an essential part of an ICMR-funded project 'Tele_ESSI', officially named 'Tele-school health-led Epilepsy Smart Schools in India: An Implementation Initiative with Mixed Methods Assessment'. This multi-dimensional public health initiative, funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), is being implemented in Assam by GMCH's neurology department.
Dr Marami Das, a senior neurologist at GMCH, leads the project as principal investigator.
Under Dr Das's guidance, an awareness and training session for about 150 govt school teachers from Kamrup district took place at the DK Girls' College community hall in Mirza, near Guwahati, on Wednesday. "By integrating neurological health into school-based health systems, Tele_ESSI aligns with India's broader goals under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) and aims to serve as a model for nationwide replication," said Dr Das.
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The training session focused on improving teachers' knowledge about epilepsy, eliminating stigma, and providing them with essential skills to handle student seizures during school hours. During the meeting, the project team presented educational modules and demonstration videos to explain medical information and develop practical readiness among teachers.
The session included instruction on basic first-aid procedures, addressing epilepsy myths and facts, and establishing school-based support systems.
Teachers participated in discussions to voice their concerns and seek clarification, leading to a deeper understanding of challenges faced by students with epilepsy.
The initiative aims to establish 'epilepsy-smart schools' — institutions equipped to understand, identify, and assist students with epilepsy, particularly in rural and underserved regions. The project incorporates telemedicine, structured awareness programmes, and capacity-building modules to incorporate epilepsy care awareness into Indian schools.
"The project uses a mixed-methods approach, combining tele-health, in-person engagement, and qualitative assessments to evaluate the feasibility and impact of implementing epilepsy education across Indian govt schools. The initiative aligns with broader national health goals of integrating neurological health into primary education systems through awareness, capacity-building, and sustainable implementation," said an official.
Health officials said this community-focused approach represents a crucial step towards removing epilepsy stigma in schools, encouraging early detection, and ensuring timely, compassionate care. The programme supports national health objectives by incorporating neurological health into primary education through awareness, capacity-building, and sustainable implementation.
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