Student-Led School Watching and Hazard Mapping

June 22, 2016

DepEd Memorandum No. 101, s. 2016

REMINDING ALL SCHOOLS TO CONDUCT STUDENT-LED SCHOOL WATCHING AND HAZARD MAPPING

To:

Undersecretaries
Assistant Secretaries
Regional Secretary, ARMM
Regional Directors
Schools Division / City Superintendents
Heads, Public and Private Elementary and Secondary Schools
All Others Concerned

1. Pursuant to the enclosed DepEd Order No. 23, s. 2015 entitled Student-led School Watching and Hazard Mapping, the Department of Education (DepEd), through the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), reiterates the implementing guidelines stipulated in the aforementioned Order in all schools at elementary and secondary levels effective School Year (SY) 2016-2017. All schools are required to perform the activity within the first month of the school opening of the current SY.

2. Specifically, the objectives of this reiteration are to:

• continue and sustain the implementation of the Student-led School Watching and Hazard Mapping;
• revitalize the implementing guidelines in organizing a school watching team and in reporting the submission and information dissemination of the hazard maps; and
• provide instruction to Division DRRM Coordinators to carry out ocular visits to observe and document the conduct of the school watching and hazard mapping.

3. This DepEd Memorandum supports DepEd Order No. 37, s. 2015 entitled The Comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) in Basic Education Framework which seeks to guide DRRM efforts in the basic education sector towards resilience-building in offices and schools, and to ensure that quality education is continuously provided and prioritized even during disasters and/or emergencies; and

4. Wide dissemination of this Memorandum is desired.

BR. ARMIN A. LUISTRO FSC
Secretary

Read:

1. DM 100, s. 2016 – 2016 Nutrition Month Celebration
2. DM 99, s. 2016 – 2016 National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week
3. DM 98, s. 2016 – 2016 No Smoking Month Celebration
4. DM 96, s. 2016 – Learning Resources for the Implementation of Grade 5 Enhanced Curriculum under the K to 12 Basic Education Program

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June 16, 2015

DepEd Order No. 23, s. 2015

Student-Led School Watching and Hazard Mapping

To:

Undersecretaries
Assistant Secretaries
Bureau Directors
Directors of Services, Centers and Heads of Units
Regional Directors
Schools Division Superintendents
Heads, Public Elementary and Secondary Schools
All Others Concerned

1. The Department of Education (DepEd) issues the enclosed Guidelines on Student-Led School Watching and Hazard Mapping which aims to instruct all public elementary and secondary schools in the specific engagement of learners in identifying and addressing hazards and risks.

2. These Guidelines provide minimum instruction on how to begin with the conduct of this activity, which specifically highlights maximum representation of all pupils and students at all grade levels, sections, groups and organizations. This will be part of the schools’ annual activity to engage learners in the implementation of disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM).

3. The said Guidelines support DepEd Order No. 50, s. 2011 entitled Creation of DRRM Office and DepEd Order No. 55, s. 2007 entitled Prioritizing the Mainstreaming of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in the School System and Implementation of Programs and Projects Relative Therefore, which seek to mainstream the implementation of DRRM in the systems and processes of the Department at all levels.

4. This Order shall take effect immediately upon its approval. All other existing Orders and/or Memoranda inconsistent with this Order are superseded and are therefore deemed rescinded.

5. Immediate dissemination of and strict compliance with this Order is directed.

(Sgd.) BR. ARMIN A. LUISTRO FSC
Secretary

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(Enclosure to DepEd Order No. 23, s. 2015)

GUIDELINES ON STUDENT-LED SCHOOL WATCHING AND HAZARD MAPPING

I. Rationale

Strengthening disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness is one of the key strategies to address the vulnerabilities of children inside and outside the school. With the increasing effects of climate change, it is important to raise the awareness and capacities of children to prepare for and manage possible disasters and/or emergencies. This is also intended to influence family preparedness as the learners could share and apply their lessons at home.

Children, who are commonly identified as one of the vulnerable groups, should be equipped with the capacity to know, understand and apply safety and protection mechanisms to build the foundation of their resilience. To initiate this strategy, it is imperative to increase the awareness of learners on the hazards and possible risks inside the school.

The student-led school watching and hazard mapping are initial steps in engaging learners in disaster preparedness and management. This activity will raise awareness and equip learners with information and skills necessary for addressing the impact of hazards. Through this activity, the Department of Education (DepEd) creates an opportunity for learners to understand their role in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM).

Objectives

• Improve students’ level of awareness on the potential hazards and risks within and around schools;
• Increase the participation of children in addressing potential disasters by reducing vulnerabilities; and
• Inculcate a culture of safety in the day-to-day experience of children in school.

II. Scope

This activity shall be conducted by all public elementary and secondary schools.

III. Definition of Terms

Hazard – any phenomenon that has the potential to cause disruption or damage to humans and their environment, e.g. typhoon, flood, fire

Risk- the expected number of lives lost, persons injured, damage to property and disruption of economic activity due to natural phenomenon, and consequently the product of specific risk and elements at risk.

Specific risk – means the expected degree of loss due to a particular phenomenon, e.g. the population, buildings and civil engineering works, economic activities, public services, utilities and infrastructure, etc., at risk in a given area

IV. Policy Statement

This policy shall require all public elementary and secondary schools to organize a student-led school watching and hazard mapping activity every first month of the school year.

V. Procedures

A. Organizing and Preparing the School Watching Team

• The school head shall designate a moderator to facilitate a student-led school watching and hazard mapping activity. The moderator is preferably a DRRM-trained school personnel who is familiar with the hazards and risks in the school or anyone who has previous/current involvement in any DRRM activity.
• The School Watching Team (SWT) should comprise of at least 10 members. For medium and big schools, organizing various students’ organizations and/or student leaders for a school watching activity is preferred to maximize engagement. For veiy small schools (i.e. with less than five classes), teachers could integrate school watching in their respective lessons as an outdoor activity. For very big schools, more than one team could be organized to ensure that all grade levels, sections and groups are represented.
• The Supreme Student/Pupil Government (SSG/SPG) shall aid in the identification of SWT members. The team members could be student leaders of youth clubs, academic and/or non-academic clubs such as boy/girl scouts, Red Cross, or representatives from various grade levels and/or sections.
• The moderator is encouraged to redesign the process, if necessary, to ensure appropriateness to the composition of the SWT. Preferably SSG/SPG shall also participate in this activity.
• It is important that the moderator presents the guidelines in the language that the SWT is most familiar and comfortable with.
• The moderator could prepare a timeline on the conduct of this activity to ensure that this will not disrupt regular school activities and/or classes of SWT members.
• The moderator will prepare the route for the school watching, designate stops and provide a School Watching Checklist (Annex 1) to Team members for guidance in the observation of hazards.
• Designate a start and end point for the school watching activity.
• The moderator shall orient the SSG/SPG on school watching and hazard mapping before convening the SWT.

B. School Watching and Hazard Mapping

• The moderator should ensure that all SWT members have a pen and notebook for note taking during the school watch.
• The moderator shall orient the SWT on the background and purpose of this activity, and level-off with the Team on the conduct of this activity.
• Walk through each building, classroom, office, laboratory, workshop, play area, garden and any open area of the school.
• At each point, give a 3-5-minute stop for the Team to observe and take down notes in every building, classroom, office, laboratory, workshop, play area, garden and any open area.
• Use the School Watching Checklist as a basic guide in identifying hazard factors and/or at risk areas in the school. The Team members are encouraged to add other risk factors based on their observation, experience and appreciation of the condition of the school environment / facilities.
• After walking around the school premises, the moderator will facilitate the processing of the information noted by the SWT.
• Then, materials such as cartolina, pens, crayons, coloured papers or any drawing material will be distributed to the SWT to map and plot the identified hazards and/or at risk areas in the school.
• Allow the SWT to discuss the plotted hazard areas in the map to enhance the initially placed markings.
• Finalize the hazard map based on the SWT discussion and prepare for a presentation to the School Planning Team (SPT)

C. Reporting, Submission and Information Dissemination

• After preparing the hazard map, the moderator shall coordinate the presentation and submission of this document to the SPT.
• The SSG/SPG shall present the result of school watching and hazard map to the SPT.
• The hazard map should be reproduced and posted in different areas of the school, preferably in all buildings.

VI. Monitoring and Evaluation

All Division DRRM Coordinators shall conduct ocular visits to observe and document the conduct of school watching and hazard mapping. Specifically, the Coordinator shall note the implementation issues and submit reports to the DRRMO. This will serve as input to succeeding policy development initiatives.

VII. References

Department of Education (2008) ‘Disaster Risk Reduction Resource Manual: Safer School Resource Manual’ Philippines :DepEd, UNICEF and Plan Philippines

Dulce, Celso Jr et al (2011) Safe, Resilient Communities: the ACCORD Model Quezon City, Philippines: Assistance and Cooperation for Community Resilience and Development, Inc.

International Finance Corporation (2010) Disaster and Emergency Preparedness: Guidance for Schools, IFC World Bank

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (2009) UNISDR:Terminology on Disaster Risk Reductions http: //www.unisdr.org/we/inform/terminology Villegas MMM (2012) Earthquake Preparedness in School ‘Disaster risk reduction and management manual for Science and Mathematics teachers’ Department of Science and Technology Science Education Institute Reprinted 2012

VIII. Effectivity/Transitory provision (if applicable)

This issuance shall immediately take effect upon approval.

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Annex 1: School Watching Checklist

1. Broken window
2. Slippery pathway
3. Blocked corridor
4. Heavy objects mounted on top of cabinets/shelves
5. Flooded area
6. Busted plugs/light bulbs/ electrical facilities
7. Exposed electrical wires
8. Protruding nails in chairs and tables
9. Broken door knobs
10. Warning sign: Slippery pathways / corridors
11. Plants mounted on the building railings
12. Flooding
13. Exposed chemicals and liquids
14. Lack/absence of storage for equipment
15. Unlabeled chemicals
16. Dripping ceiling
17. Open pit
18. Stagnant water
19. Unpruned trees /bushes/shrubs
20. Open/Clogged canals
21. No ramps for elevated school buildings or other facilities
22. Swing-in doors
23. Broken / dilapidated ceiling
24. Open/in complete perimeter fence
25. Presence of stray animals inside the school campus
26. Presence of electrical post/transformer near or within the school perimeter
27. No system of release to parents during emergencies
28. No posted emergency hotlines around the school
29. Garbage Area (Segregation of Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable)
30. Detached or peeled off GI sheet
31. Broken toilet bowl and/or sinks
32. Broken chairs/desks/tables
33. Blocked/no emergency exits
34. Unmounted cabinets/shelves
35. Medical kits in every classrooms
36. Bells / alarms
37. Condemnable building (i.e. very old structure, collapsing building and/or prominent cracks on classroom walls)
38. Others (List as many as possible)

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