Dealing with Disasters: Awareness and Preparedness of Tanza National Trade School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world. Being located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, it is a disaster-prone country. In relation to the effort of managing the disaster in the Philippines, the school has a tangible role in building community resilience. The school as an educational institution has the responsibility to deliver education. It is for the reason that the school is an effective platform in transferring information, knowledge, and skills to the surrounding communities. Therefore, the activities of disaster education in school are an effective, dynamic and sustainable strategy in spreading out disaster education. The systemic, measurable and feasible efforts to increase the capacity of the school community will effectively reduce disaster risks in schools.

METHODS

An adopted survey questionnaire of Celis & Heres (2016) consisting of close-ended questions was administered to students and teachers both in Junior and Senior High School departments of Tanza National Trade School. Descriptive method of research was used to determine the level of awareness and preparedness on disaster education of the respondents.

RESULTS

The findings of the study revealed that there is no significant difference in the level of awareness and preparedness among students from Junior and Senior High School. The respondents strongly agree on the schools' campaign on disaster education thus having a high level of awareness. Moreover, student respondents are very concerned in terms of disaster preparedness. Similarly, the teacher participants in general strongly agree on the school's disaster education awareness campaign and are very concerned with disaster preparedness.

DISCUSSIONS

The study on awareness of disaster among students and teachers of Tanza National Trade School revealed that the participants are highly aware and prepared for Disaster Education. Crafted from Clark's (2013) point of view, teachers should better impart practical skills in disaster prevention and reduction through Disaster Education.