Utilization of Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM)-integrated Learning Materials in Teaching Grade 7-8 Students

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

One of the challenges in the Department of Education is the delivery of instruction often hindered by natural disasters occurring in the country. In lieu of this, schools like Tanay National High School devised a measure for the integration of disaster risk reduction education into the school. This school created Self-Learning Kits which can be used by students in evacuation centers or when classes would be dismissed for a long time. In this study, the researchers aimed to measure the level of the utilization of DRRM-integrated lessons and its effect on the level of awareness of the students related to disasters and hazards. Such is the basis for the improvement of the sustainability of the integration of DRRM in the school's learning materials as well as the development of more DRRM-integrated learning materials.

METHODS

This descriptive study aimed to gather quantifiable information to assess the utilization of DRRM-integrated learning materials and to measure the level of awareness of the students in DRRM. Eighteen (18) teachers of English, Science and Math in Grade 7 and 8 answered a questionnaire-checklist whilst eighty-seven (87) Grade 7 and eighty-six (86) Grade 8 students answered a test indicating their level of awareness in DRRM.

RESULTS

The researchers found out that the level of utilization of DRRM-integrated LMs is often utilized with highest rating on "Finding practical applications of concepts and skills in daily living" as the aspect in which the teachers always utilize DRRM-integrated LMs. On the other hand, the level of awareness of the students in DRRM is High with Early Warning Mechanism having the highest rating of Very High.

DISCUSSIONS

Results showed that utilization of DRRM-integrated LMs could be improved through focusing on the activities in which they are least utilized. Moreover, the development of the next learning materials could be focused on Aid Recovery and inclusion of other DRRM topics should be tapped on for sustainability. Through this conclusion, the researchers further recommended that the integration of DRRM in teaching should be extended to other learning activities; aspects by which the students performed lowest must be dealt with in the next modules to be developed; further enhancement on the integration of DRRM to lessons must be rendered to teachers; and a study of more effective methods to teach DRRM must be conducted.