Introduction

Ensuring disaster risk reduction for educational institutions is a fundamental imperative, creating safe learning environments and safeguarding the well-being of students, faculty, and staff in the face of diverse hazards. This essential training course focuses on Disaster Risk Reduction for Educational Institutions, equipping participants with the systematic knowledge and practical strategies to assess vulnerabilities, develop robust preparedness plans, and implement effective response and recovery protocols tailored to school and university settings. You will learn to identify site-specific risks, establish clear emergency procedures, foster a culture of safety, and maintain continuity of education during and after disruptive events. Mastering disaster risk reduction is crucial for school administrators, educators, facility managers, and safety officers committed to building secure and resilient learning communities.

This intensive training course delves into the nuanced application of cutting-edge methodologies and best practices for comprehensive DRR in educational settings. We will explore structural and non-structural mitigation measures, delve into the intricacies of emergency drills and exercises, understand the critical role of communication with parents and the wider community, and examine strategies for psychological support post-disaster. Participants will gain hands-on experience in conducting school safety audits, developing tailored emergency response plans, and contributing to long-term resilience-building initiatives within their educational institutions. By the end of this training course, you will possess the expertise to confidently lead and contribute to initiatives that significantly enhance disaster risk reduction for educational institutions, ensuring continuous learning and protection for all.

Target Audience

• School Principals & Administrators
• University Safety Officers
• Teachers & Educators
• School Facility & Maintenance Managers
• Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Leaders
• Emergency Management Coordinators (Education Sector)
• School Counselors & Psychologists
• District-Level Education Officials

Course Objectives

• Understand the unique vulnerabilities and risks faced by educational institutions.
• Learn the core concepts and principles of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in the education sector.
• Master methodologies for conducting comprehensive school-specific hazard and risk assessments.
• Develop skills in creating tailored emergency preparedness and response plans for schools/universities.
• Understand the importance of structural and non-structural mitigation measures for school safety.
• Learn strategies for effective drills, exercises, and evacuation procedures for educational settings.
• Explore best practices for crisis communication with students, parents, and the community.
• Master techniques for ensuring educational continuity during and after a disaster.
• Understand the psychological impacts of disasters on students and staff, and support mechanisms.
• Learn about child-centered and inclusive approaches to disaster risk reduction.
• Apply practical DRR principles to enhance the safety and resilience of educational institutions.

Duration

5 Days

Course Outline

Module 1: Understanding Risks in Educational Institutions

• Defining the specific risks and vulnerabilities of schools, colleges, and universities for your module.
• Exploring common hazards (natural, technological, human-caused) impacting educational settings.
• Understanding the unique challenges of protecting large populations of students and staff.
• Overview of the importance of safe infrastructure and learning environments.
• The imperative for a holistic approach to DRR in education.

Module 2: Foundations of DRR for Education

• Learning the core concepts of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) relevant to the education sector for your module.
• Understanding the relationship between DRR, safety, and educational continuity.
• Exploring international frameworks and guidelines for school safety.
• The role of policies and regulations in promoting DRR in educational institutions.
• Building a culture of safety and preparedness.

Module 3: Hazard & Risk Assessment for Schools

• Methodologies for conducting thorough hazard identification and risk assessment for school campuses for your module.
• Analyzing structural and non-structural vulnerabilities within school buildings.
• Identifying potential threats to student and staff safety.
• Utilizing checklists and audit tools for comprehensive risk evaluation.
• Prioritizing risk reduction actions based on assessment findings.

Module 4: Emergency Preparedness & Response Planning

• Developing comprehensive emergency preparedness plans tailored for educational institutions for your module.
• Establishing clear roles, responsibilities, and communication protocols for staff and students.
• Planning for various scenarios (e.g., fire, earthquake, active threat, medical emergency).
• Creating detailed evacuation routes, assembly points, and reunification procedures.
• The importance of cross-functional team involvement in plan development.

Module 5: Mitigation Measures for School Safety

• Understanding structural mitigation measures for enhancing school building safety for your module.
• Implementing non-structural mitigation (e.g., securing furniture, emergency kits, first aid supplies).
• Strategies for fire prevention, earthquake bracing, and hazardous materials management.
• Designing safe zones and shelter-in-place procedures.
• The role of facility maintenance in reducing risks.

Module 6: Drills, Exercises & Crisis Communication

• Designing and conducting effective emergency drills and exercises for students and staff for your module.
• Learning techniques for realistic scenario-based training.
• Strategies for clear and calm crisis communication with students, parents, and the wider community.
• Utilizing mass notification systems and emergency alerts.
• Managing misinformation and fear during a crisis.

Module 7: Educational Continuity & Post-Disaster Support

• Ensuring educational continuity through contingency plans for alternative learning environments for your module.
• Strategies for managing academic schedules and curriculum post-disaster.
• Providing psychosocial support and trauma-informed care for students and staff.
• Planning for long-term recovery and reconstruction of affected educational facilities.
• Integrating lessons learned into a continuous improvement cycle for DRR.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.