PurposeOne of the most significant concerns of disaster management is that community at large is reluctant to initiate pre‐disaster measures at the individual level. Disaster education to schoolchildren offers the most vital answer to this grave concern. The objective of this study is to identify the factors which enhance students' awareness and promote the actual action for disaster reduction.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on a questionnaire survey in six selected schools of Kathmandu, Nepal. Different awareness levels have been established to identify effective educational factors at each level. The analysis showed the way to implement the education program.FindingsResults showed that current school disaster education – which is based on lectures – can raise risk perception, but it cannot enable students to know the importance of pre‐disaster measures and to take actual action for disaster reduction. Self‐education is effective for realizing the importance of implementing measures. Community plays the essential role for promoting students' actual actions for disaster reduction. Future disaster education in school should be active learning for students. Continuous community involvement is the most important factor for school disaster education.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focuses on the direction of disaster education for schoolchildren. Specific cases of the education should be customized, based on the results of this study.Practical implicationsThe study findings are of significant importance for school teachers or education department while designing the curriculum for disaster education.Originality/valueThe findings and recommendations are field‐tested in Nepal and hence offer higher possibilities of adaptation, particularly in developing countries.
Purpose -The aims of this paper are to point out the effectiveness of the education at Maiko and show the direction of effective school disaster education. Design/methodology/approach -The questionnaire survey was conducted in 12 schools (1,065 students) from different parts of Japan, including that of Maiko, to understand the linking between disaster education and students' awareness. Findings -The questionnaire results show a distinct higher risk perception and risk reduction actions of the students in the Maiko, as compared to other schools. The Maiko focuses on mitigation and preparedness, mainly teaches about the social environment, and makes students think of the importance of implementation. This learning process is found to be effective in reducing the gap between intention and action. Research limitations/implications -This study points out the crucial points of disaster education based on the education at Maiko. The specific case of disaster education should be developed in each school, adapting local situation. Practical implications -The study findings are of significant importance for school-teachers or education departments, while designing the curriculum for disaster education. Originality/value -The paper shows that education at Maiko is one of the best practices of school based disaster education and the findings and recommendations can be effective at other schools.
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