Safe School Initiative

1. Safe School Initiative Plan Nepal, Kathmandu

3. Rationale & Background of Safe School School safety has been given a major focus by the United Nations International Strategy on Disaster Reduction (UN/ISDR) when the 2006-2007 World Disaster Reduction Campaign was devoted to the theme “Disaster Reduction Begins at School”. This theme was chosen by UN/ISDR because (a) it is in line with the Priority 3 of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: “Use knowledge, innovation and education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels, and (b) schools are the best venues for forging durable collective values; therefore they are suitable for building a culture of prevention and disaster resilience.

4. The Asia Pacific Regional Workshop on School Education and Disaster Risk Reduction held on 8-10 October 2007 in Bangkok came out with a ‘Bangkok Action Agenda’ addressing all stakeholders, on the following priority areas for action: (i) Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction into School Education; (ii) Strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction Education for Community Resilience; (iii) Making Schools Safer; and (iv) Empowering Children for Disaster Risk Reduction.

5. What are the five HFA Priorities for Action (PFA)? Adopting a child-focused perspective in HFA: 1. Governance Ensure that disaster risk reduction is a national and a local priority with a strong institutional basis for implementation promoting and supporting children’s rights 2. Risk Assessment, Monitoring and Warning Involve children and young people to identify, assess and monitor disaster risks and enhance early warning 3. Knowledge and Education Use knowledge, innovation and education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels, because children are our future

6. What are the five HFA Priorities for Action (PFA)? … 4. Underlying risk factors Involve children and young people to reduce the underlying risk factors 5. Preparedness and Response Strengthen disaster preparedness for effective response at all levels, particularly at the community level, concentrating on the wellbeing of children and young people

7. Safe school • A safe school is either a school that is located in a hazard-free area or one that has been constructed so as to withstand the hazards to which it is exposed to disaster • A safe school should not collapse or save from other forms of damages if a disaster happens but even if it does, the concerned SMC and PTA will be able to cope with the impacts of the collapse

8. Rationale behind safe school campaigns • Disaster increases children’s injury and death toll • School buildings are used as shelters during emergencies • Disaster causes high dropout and impact the quality of education • Disaster blocks basic rights of children • Children are the best communicators about disaster • A key agenda of international agencies

9. Safe school Pillars • Pillar 1: Safe School Facilities involves safe site selection, design, construction and maintenance and includes safe and continuous access to the facility • Pillar 2: School Disaster Management covers disaster management to maintain safe learning environments and plan for educational continuity and should conform to international standards • Pillar 3: Risk Reduction Education involves integrating DRR/climate change adaptation (CCA) into formal education curricula and teachers’ training syllabi to develop a culture of safety and resilient communities

10. Key Components of Safe School Pillar • Pillar 1: Safe School Facilities • Safe site selection • Structural and non-structural assessment • Structural assessment • Non-structural assessment

11. Key components of Safe School Pillar • Pillar 2: School Disaster Management • Form an inclusive school disaster management committee • Hazard, vulnerability, risk and capacity assessment • Form different task forces • Prepare school disaster management plans • Develop communication channels • Run school-based disaster drills for awareness building

12. Pillar 3: Risk Reduction Education • Integrate DRR and CCA into formal and non-formal education • Incorporate DRR and CCA in teachers’ training curricula • Develop the capacity of stakeholders • Develop educational materials which address DRR and CCA issues • Ensure right to education • Remove likely challenges to and constraints on safe school campaigns

13. Goal of Plan’s Safe School Initiative Safe School guidelines/policies Children Participation Strengthen the roles of governments and CSOs To promote a culture of school safety in the project target countries by advocating policies, regulations, and guidelines at all decision-making levels. To embed the participation of children in the local and national process of establishing safe school model in the target countries. To strengthen the roles of civil society organizations to lead in developing and monitoring disaster risk reduction and preparedness measure in schools through capacity building and networking both in country and regionally.

14. Safe School Programme The safe school programme encourages every child, every individual, every family, every community, every organization, government, or any other entity to make a pledge and take actions to make schools safer now to survive disasters.

15. The main objective of the safe school initiatives is Risk Reduction. This will include mitigation and preparedness activities and preparing a disaster management plan for the school to respond the event effectively. Raising awareness of disaster related issues among the targeted stakeholders (students, teachers, school management, guardians and others) through various methods of lectures, discussions, posters, drama (street play) and demonstration;

16. Facilitate to the teachers, SMC and student representatives on: • Identifying and listing hazards and vulnerabilities outside the school; • Identifying structural and non-structural vulnerabilities inside the school; • Identifying and listing ways of reducing vulnerabilities; • Identifying the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders; Training teachers on how to prepare a school evacuation plan, building emergency response capacity, focusing on skills such as search and rescue, fire safety, and first aid (training provided to student groups); and Preparing Disaster Management Plan for the school;

17. "Learn, Reflect, Empower" formula for education for sustainability, stating, "Education must also inspire the faith that each of us has both the power and the responsibility to effect positive change on a global scale". This approach seems to be the best for providing risk education to the children. To Empower: Students take concrete action toward reducing risks in their environment. Classroom and school exercises are introduced to help them take small definitive actions that can become a precursor to bigger investments for disaster risk reduction. School management prepares school disaster management plans which identify roles and responsibilities and which are rehearsed periodically. To Learn: Students deepen their awareness about hazards and risks when they understand realities and know facts. Recent natural disasters are well documented and shared. These serve as case studies for teachers as well as students. Wherever needed, disasters are simulated with the help of portable models. The learning process is strengthened by curriculum change To Reflect: Students analyze factors leading to human casualties and injuries, disabilities, psychosocial trauma in disasters, so that they can recognize development practices and human actions that can cause disasters or prevent them. Students connect to their own local communities and families and share their learning with them. In this approach, school students, teachers and management develop disaster management plans for their schools. In the process, they come to know existing structural and non-structural weaknesses. Efforts are made to ensure that the school community takes ownership of the plan and make the necessary updates in the future. It is to be noted that involving teachers is essential for the success of any activity with students.

18. Plan believes that Disaster Education and training accentuate and encourage the culture of individual safety as the best safety measures; School administrators, staff, teachers and students should be prepared in case of emergencies and disasters due to natural hazards (e.g. earthquakes, floods, landslides, etc.) and manmade hazards (e.g. fire, road accidents, stampede) to protect themselves from personal injury and loss of life and protect the school property from damage.

19. Expected Results: Schools in Plan area are physically and structurally safer in high-risk disaster areas. Communities are organized around schools for disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness and vulnerability reduction. An effective methodology is developed that introduces disaster awareness and promotes action for disaster risk reduction in local education (with children, staff, DMC, SMC, PTAs etc.)

20. Safe School programme undertakes the following: Create a /strengthen existing/ school emergency and disaster preparedness committee (Teaching and Non-teaching staff, children), Training teachers and school administrators in school safety and other essential skills to promote physical and emotional well-being Building disaster prevention/risk reduction into systems through risk analysis and creating school preparedness and evacuation plans (non-structural), Designate the responsibilities of stakeholders and develop monitoring framework Conduct emergency drills and exercises (mock-drills/ preparedness exercises), Demonstrate replicable models by creating structurally(retro fittings) safe schools, and Advocating for hazard resilient school construction and retrofitting policies and pedagogical changes at appropriate governmental levels.

21. Objectives of the Safe School Initiatives This initiatives has run to achieve following specific objectives: A safe school model is established, promoted and implemented in the projected area by advocating policies, regulations and guidelines at all decision making levels. The participation of children in the local and national process of establishing safe school model in the target communities is enhanced Ministry/Department of Education, local related authorities and civil society organizations develop, implement, monitor and evaluates DRR measures at school. Advocate for enabling education policy, while incorporating DRR & "Safe School" standards.

22. 17 indicators for Safe School • A. Hazards and risks knowledge All natural hazards posing a threat to schools have been identified. Risks are reassessed regularly. The school population and the local community are aware of the risks.

23. B. Structural and non structural safety School buildings were designed to meet building code standards. Building code provides guidance on hazard resilient design; The site was assessed before the school was built. The vulnerability of existing school buildings has been assessed with respect to local hazards. Performance objectives (maximum level of damage or disruption that can be tolerated in the presence of a hazard of a certain magnitude and frequency) were determined; The school construction (or retrofitting) was supervised by a qualified engineer. The school was built (or retrofitted) to meet performance objectives. School furnishings and equipment were designed and installed to minimize potential harm they might cause to school occupants.

24. C. Systems, procedures and skills Somebody has the responsibility for managing the school maintenance program. Mechanisms are in place to ensure that school maintenance is financed and executed. A backup plan exists to ensure that school operations continue in case natural hazards create disruptions in the school calendar. A safe location was identified in case the school must be evacuated. Students, teachers, staff, and school administrators know what to do before, during, and after a hazard event School drills are held regularly to practice and improve skills and plans. A disaster management committee exists at school or in the local community. D. Curricula Disaster-risk reduction is taught as part of the regular school curricula.

25. CCDRR - CCDRM Safe School Approach (SSA) Octagon Teachers’ Qualification & Attitude Acceptable Level of Government Budget Allocation/Strong Supervisory support Active Learning Methods, Accompanied by Appropriate Learning/Teaching Aids SSA [ECD,BLOP,LWF,EiE] Active Participation of Children & Parents in School Governance Empowered & Supportive School Leadership Community, Parents, Children Participation & Collaboration Safe, Sound, & Effective Learning Environment Student preparedness Relevant curriculum

26. Values in integrating DRR in all aspect of the subjects and activities in the schools bearing in mind that DRR is a major component in the school development plan. Interactive teaching methodology, skills-based education, learning materials on natural and human- induced hazards SSA [ECD,BLOP,LWF,EiE] Learning centers able to access calamity funds from LGUs and allocate calamity funds from the funds of the learning centers. Community, Parents, Children Participation & Collaboration Learning centers should adhere to safety standards including the facilities, equipments, technologies and practices in the schools Disaster risk management plan integrated in the school integrated plan before, during and after disasters Emergency-related drills regularly conducted in learning centers (e.g. fire drills, earthquake drills, flood, disease outbreak preparation) Understand hazards, vulnerability and capacity of the children and Community. DRR conscious. SSA and CCDRM Involve children in SAPIME on disaster vulnerability, risks & capacities analysis in learning centers

27. Coverage of Safe School in Plan Nepal • Mapping of Safe School Policy and Practices • Safe School Tool Kit for Schools and practicetioners Safe School Initiatives Since 2011 Safe School Budget: NORAD Project USD 200,000 2 year Plan Int. Program USD 75,000 Annual • All 6 Programme District: • Morang, Sunsari, • Sindhuli, Rautahat, Makwanpur • Banke & Bardia • CCDRM in Schools 128 • Safe School 30, SBDPP 40 • Students 2,395 • Teachers / RPs 125 • Parents 1132 • Officials 140 • NGO/CSOs 448

28. Thank you ! Suggestions Welcome!