“Preparation through education is less than learning through tragedy” by Max Mayfield
One of the DepEd mission is “To protect and promote the right of every Filipino to quality, equitable, culture-based, and complete basic education where: Students learn in a … safe, and motivating environment.” Thus, school safety is the job of the entire school community.
In the Section 14 of the Republic Act 10121 (or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010) requires DepEd, CHED, and TESDA to integrate disaster risk education in school curricula. And for elementary and junior high school, DRRM education is not a school subject itself but only a component of subjects like science and technology, and social science, while on the other hand, in senior high school it is an independent subject. But the question, “Is this enough for the students, teachers to be fully aware, ready, and prepared when disaster comes in front of them?
Earthquake drill was done per quarter while the other types of drill such fire-fighting, flood, lock down and bomb threat are set aside. Natural disaster occurs at times when we least expect, we cannot stop it but at least we can lessen the damage it can cause to our lives. We are now facing the challenge of the so called “big one” and anytime this may hit us unexpectedly. Our school is vulnerable because of its physical structure such as limited lot area, the school building is constructed to have more floors to accommodate the growing population of students. Furthermore, the school is situated around household area and nearby small bodies of water (rampa). Earthquake drills are commonly done at specific date but still it is still observed that some students do not take it seriously.
Most of the students that was interviewed by the researchers do not know how to conduct first aid except the section of GAS and STEM in senior high school that has a DRR subject.
It is also observed that senior high school, the ABM and TVL strand does not have a disaster readiness and risk reduction subject compared to the STEM and GAS strand where in fact, TVL strand students are more prone to untoward incidence using electrical and gas-based appliances.
According to the SDRRM coordinator of Tibagan National High School, knowledge about DRR can be easily given by teachers and through seminars but the awareness cannot be easily established. Training for DRRM are only given to specific teachers and no follow up was done. Therefore, DRR should be practical and frequency of information dissemination must be given more considerations.
These past few years, calamities such as typhoons and floods are very common to any locality as well as to schools. Cancelation of classes becomes very common due to typhoon that brought floods and related disaster. Accidents may happen anytime and if these occur during class hours, the school will be liable. It is true that no one can predict such occurrences; however, the damages can be at least lessened. As one of the missions of DepEd to ensure that students have a safe environment for effective learning to happened, school heads must secure that teachers and students are equipped with knowledge and preparedness on mitigating and managing hazards and risks brought by natural disaster.
When education is interrupted or limited, students drop out, with negative and permanent economic and social impacts for students, their families, and their communities. Natural hazards are part of the context for educational planning. Whether it is annually recurring floods, a once-in-5generations earthquake, the increasing severity of storms and cyclones, water shortages, or the slow onset of rising sea water levels, these known and expected hazards can be mitigated with the determined application of knowledge, education, and ingenuity. (IFC).
We cannot prevent the earth from shaking, the wind from blowing, or the rain from falling. However, with assessment and planning, physical and environmental protection and response preparedness we can prevent these events from becoming disasters. Since schools are our universal institution for sharing knowledge and skills, the expectations for schools to be role models in disaster prevention is high. Successful disaster mitigation is one of the ultimate tests of the success of the education we provide over generations.
The school’s level of knowledge, awareness, readiness and preparedness are not yet identified although the school is practicing and performing the SDRRM policies and procedures as mandated by the DepEd. The researchers of the study come up with this research in helping to improve not only the knowledge but also the skills of the students and teachers at Tibagan National High School in disaster risk reduction preparedness by the use of a proposed intervention program (DRR IFAcT).