Project BEAM (Batang Emergency Action Movers): Enhance Disaster Awareness and Preparedness Skills among Grade 4 Pupils of Itaas Elementary School, Muntinlupa City

Abstract

Natural disasters and other emergencies can happen anytime. So, everyone in school should be prepared to handle them safely and effectively. Hence, Itaas Elementary School promotes and maintains school-wide safety and minimizes the effects of emergencies and other dangerous situations. This study sought determines whether a project BEAM would be effective in enhancing the disaster awareness and preparedness skills of the learners. It examines the use of Project BEAM by looking at the stances and opinions of selected Grade 4 pupils in Itaas Elementary School for school year 2017-2018. Using descriptive statistical analysis to compare the two groups of pupils, fifty (50) pupils were randomly assigned to the experimental group and other fifty (50) to the controlled group. The experimental group used Project BEAM including DRR Awareness Raising Activities while the control group did not experience/encounter the said activity. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews. T-test for independent variables was used to determine the significant difference between the mean scores of the experimental and control groups in the activities given. The experimental group which was given DRR Awareness Raising Activities performed better than the control group. These findings indicate that the students who participated in Project BEAM/DRR Raising Awareness Activities had a higher achievement scores than those students who were not involved at all. The research showed that there is a significant difference between the mean scores of the two groups. This is an accord with research indicating that student’s knowledge levels increased using DRR Awareness Raising Activities. Through this, they can assist other pupils in finding ways for them to share their knowledge of disaster risk reduction with other members of the community. The study concludes that the Project BEAM is effective in enhancing pupils’ disaster awareness and preparedness skills in elementary education. Hence, it is recommended that the use of Batang Emergency Action Movers (BEAM) project in elementary schools be strengthened.