Level of Student Disaster Risk Reduction Awareness in Public Secondary Schools in Kisumu County, Kenya
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Date
2023-09-13
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Publisher
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS)
Abstract
The recurring, widespread and sudden nature of fire and floods disasters pose high degree of risks frequently
in secondary schools. However, the capacity of the affected secondary schools is limited due to paucity of
student’s disaster risk reduction awareness. The study endeavoured to assess the level of student disaster
risk reduction awareness in secondary schools in Kisumu County. The study grounded on Planned
Behaviour and Disaster Preparedness theory while adopting a descriptive research design. A sample size of
86 out of 172 public secondary schools was used. All principals from sampled schools were selected. Also,
172 students comprising of 2 student leaders, one Head of Department from each selected schools were
sampled totalling to 86, and 4 ministry of education officials from Kenya School of Curriculum
Development were purposively sampled. Data was collected using questionnaires and observation schedule.
Qualitative data collected was put under themes consistent with the research objective. Quantitative data
was coded and entered in the computer for analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)
version 27. Descriptive statistics such as percentages, means and frequencies were used to analyse the data.
The study revealed that there was no disaster risk reduction and resilience in current curricula in secondary
school. Students lacked capacity to respond to disasters in secondary schools in Kisumu County since they
lacked disaster management training. The study recommends formulation of effective and practical disaster
syllabi, alongside specialized training for teachers who would be delivering DRR education which builds on
students’ existing knowledge and experience by developing additional competencies needed for effective
disaster management. Rehearsal drills in disaster preparedness must be done in secondary schools by
students since it re-emphases points made in separate training programs and test the systems as a whole and
invariably revealing several gaps that otherwise might have been overlooked.