2022 Brigada Eskwela School Safety and Preparedness Guide

In view of the implementation of the 2022 Brigada Eskwela and the preparation of the face-to-face classes, this School Safety and Preparedness Guide consistent to DO 33, 2021 titled “Schools-Based Disaster Preparedness and Response Measures for Tropical Cyclones, Flooding and Other Weather-Related Disturbances and Calamities” shall provide guidance to schools and education partners in ensuring safety and preparedness of our learners and personnel before, during and after emergencies.

Enumerated below is a list of recommended activities that may contribute to a safer school. The School Heads need to identify which among those listed below are most appropriate and important for their schools. They may also identify other measures that may add-up to this list.

Safe Learning Facilities

1. Facilitate the assessment of school building structure and electrical wiring and make necessary repairs and/or upgrades to prevent unnecessary incidents.
2. Repair minor classroom damages such as broken windows, doors, blackboard, roofs and other furniture, etc.
3. Install appropriate and available fire suppression, including fire extinguishers, water source and relevant indigenous materials.
4. Ensure that corridors and pathways are unobstructed and that all sharp, protruding objects which may cause harm to learners are removed.
5. Clean and clear drainage to prevent clogging. Cover drainage canals and provide necessary warnings.
6. Cordon off and post safety signage for on-going construction, unfinished, damaged and condemned buildings.
7. Secure cabinets and drawers and ensure that heavy objects are below head level.
8. Post safety measures to be observed in laboratories, workshops, and other facilities requiring the same.
9. Prepare an evacuation/exit plan and post directional signage on every floor of the building.
10. Identify evacuation areas and classrooms that may be used as temporary shelters during disasters and emergencies
11. Prune trees to avoid entanglement from electrical wirings and avoid potential harm to life and property.

School Disaster Management

1. Post a directory of emergency contact numbers of relevant government agencies and officers in various high traffic areas of the school.
2. Establish and maintain early warning mechanisms in the school.
3. Equip school with first aid kits, flashlights, megaphones, and other supplies necessary in cases of emergency. Ensure that these items are highly accessible and can be easily located.
4. Identify alternative sources and/or maintain supply of drinking water within the school.
5. Ensure that learners, teachers, and personnel have identification cards with relevant information.
6. Create database of learners with the contact details of their immediate family members/relatives/guardians.
7. Secure and safely store vital school records.
8. Coordinate with barangay officials on pedestrian safety of learners.
9. Document accidents experienced by learners and personnel within the school to improve prevention and mitigation measures.

Risk Reduction and Resilience Education

1. Identify a storage area for safekeeping of vital schools’ records, textbooks, teaching manuals, computers, and other school equipment.

Menu of School Kits

The table below breaks down the minimum contents of each school kit: