Status of Readiness and Awareness of San Luis Senior High School in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

In lessening the impact of hazards brought by disasters Republic Act No. 9155 or the Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001 formulates, implements and coordinates policies, plans, programs and projects in the areas of formal and non-formal basic education. In line with this, each school was required to organize committees of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management to easily cope with and overcome the worsening effects of the disasters that one may experience inside the school premises. San Luis Senior High School is a newly established public senior high school in the municipality of San Luis, Batangas. It is but necessary to gauge the school's level of readiness and awareness on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management to enhance its status.

METHODS

The researchers, in determining the readiness and awareness of DRRM, utilized the descriptive method of research. A researcher-made questionnaire was administered to 50 learners chosen by incidental sampling and 13 teaching and non-teaching personnel. The researchers also assessed the difference between the assessments of the two groups of respondents on the level of readiness as well as the level of awareness of San Luis Senior High School in DRRM. The t-test, weighted mean was used in the statistical treatment of data.

RESULTS

The level of readiness of the school in DRRM as assessed by the learners and teachers is large as evinced by the composite means of 4.20 and 4.49, respectively. There is a significant difference between their assessments as shown by the computed t-the value of 5.2751. Hence, the null hypothesis was rejected. The level of awareness of the school in DRRM was large as assessed by the learners (4.23 mean) and teachers (4.49mean). The computed t -the value of 3.6531 revealed that there was no significant difference in the assessments of the said two groups of respondents as to the level of awareness in DRRM. This led to the acceptance of the null hypothesis.

DISCUSSIONS

The researchers recommended the amplification of the DRRM of the school. The information campaign will be revitalized through programs such as educational video presentation, the conduct of earthquake and fire drills, and improved visibility of the DRRM announcements, hazard maps, and emergency hotlines. Strengthening communication and collaboration with local authorities, agencies and the community is also encouraged.