Teachers’ workshop and dog-population study at Kamrup Metro

A comprehensive rabies awareness initiative was conducted in Guwahati, Assam, focusing on school-based engagement and monitoring of free-roaming dogs. Recognizing that 40% of rabies-related deaths in India involve children under 15, a three-day workshop was organized from 19–21 September 2023 at St. Vivekananda English Academy, Maligaon. Nineteen teachers from seven schools - St Vivekananda English Academy Sonaram High School, Kaliram Baruah Girls High School, Pandu Adarsha Higher Secondary School, Bidya Mandir Higher Secondary School, Ambikagiri Higher Secondary School and Heritage Public School representing diverse socio-economic backgrounds participated. The workshop aimed to equip teachers with knowledge and practical pedagogical tools to promote rabies awareness in schools through a consensus-driven approach using the modified Delphi method.

Key recommendations from the workshop included:

• Conducting awareness in school assemblies
• Starting wall magazines on One Health
• Displaying IEC materials
• Encouraging student-created content like infographics and artwork
• Integrating rabies topics into co-curricular activities
• Initiating interdisciplinary projects
• Organizing awareness stalls at school events
• Discussing rabies during parent-teacher meetings

Parallelly, a GPS dog collaring and enumeration activity was undertaken at Paltan Bazar to monitor the movement and home ranges of free-roaming dogs. This effort also aimed to understand dog ecology and population diversity, providing essential data for future mass vaccination and sterilisation planning. The activity was implemented by a committed team of volunteers and members.