DRRM in the School Setting
Many hazards and disaster-related risks can be avoided. The severity of the disaster depends on the population’s capacity to manage its resources. Decreasing vulnerabilities and increasing the capacities of the community, prone to hazards, can prevent disasters.
Several initiatives on school safety, aligned with the three pillars, have been ongoing implementation. DepEd established the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Services (DRRMS) office to enable focused, effective and strategic implementation. As a member of the NDRRMC, the department has been advancing school safety to build the resilience of education. With the ongoing execution of the three pillars, DepEd has aligned its commitment to the four thematic areas of the Philippine DRRM Act of 2010 (RA 10121). They are focusing on Prevention and Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Rehabilitation.
The Comprehensive DRRM in Basic Education Framework:
Execution of DRRM in basic education is aligned with DepEd’s three major outcomes; Access, Quality, and Governance. Implementation of DRRM in basic education is strengthened by the interrelationship between the global and national frameworks. With the issuance of a policy (DO 37 s 2015), the framework guides schools in assessing, planning, and implementing their specific disaster-risk preparedness and response interventions.
The Comprehensive DRRM in Basic Education Framework aims to:
- Protect students and educational staff from death, injury, and harm in schools
- Provide a guide to help educational authorities plan for educational continuity in the face of expected hazards
- Safeguard education sector investments
- Utilizing education to strengthen risk reduction and resilience
The framework sets the direction and priority areas for DRRM in the education sector. It institutionalized DRRM structures, systems, protocols, and practices within DepEd offices and schools. Providing educational authorities with a common language and understanding of the implementation of DRRM in basic education at all levels. It guides in:
- Inclusion of DRRM in school, digestion and regional education development plans
- The implementation of DRRM for education practitioners’ and partner’ planning and programming at all levels
- Defining the organization’s preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation initiatives about hazards affecting school operations and continuity
- Serve as a tool to engage partners to align their initiatives and programs to DepEd priorities.
- Provide a guide on how to collaborate with private schools
