ABSTRACT
Every school has its own standards for parental and learner involvement in school safety threats. To prevent possible risks to the safety of their children, it is important for them to understand what the school and local law enforcement require them during these emergency situations. Consequently, Itaas Elementary School has strengthened its preparedness efforts and prioritizes promoting disaster mitigation and prevention knowledge among learners during this pandemic time. This study sought to determine whether a project DISA Intervention would be effective in improving disaster mitigation and prevention knowledge among grade four section Neptune pupils of IES. The study used purposive sampling and qualitative research design to assess the effect of virtual classroom discussion. The said intervention involved the holding of online-based awareness-raising activities over a period of four (4) weeks and the conduct of virtual class discussions through Zoom apps after each activity that allowed learners to reflect on the quality of their performance and identify how they could improve as a group in succeeding activities. Observation feedback provided by three (3) grade 4 teachers showed the learners’ mitigation and prevention knowledge continuously improved through the treatment period. Moreover, their perception of the importance of the online awareness-raising activities was also enhanced based on the responses of the pupils who took part in the focused group discussion (FGD) subsequently held. In view of the findings, the researcher recommends the integration of the online-based DRR intervention or Project DISA in the school’s disaster education program. This will help learners and the community for being prepared for every hazard. An action plan was developed for this purpose. The preparedness plan or contingency plan of the school in DRR should be utilized even during blended learning
Keywords: disaster awareness, prevention, mitigation, disaster risk reduction (DRR), online-based awareness-raising activities