Disaster Management And Risk Reduction Strategies in Public Secondary Schools in Mandera County, Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to examine the disaster management and risk reduction strategies employed in public secondary schools in Mandera County. Survey research design was utilized. Purposive sampling techniques was employed to draw 20principals and 130 teachers yielding a total sample size of 150 respondents. Questionnaires for teachers and interview guidelines for school principals were used to collect data. The major findings of the study were that most schools were aware of the disaster management and risk reduction strategies to be employed in case of a disaster. The strategies mentioned, in decreasing order of magnitude included: putting in place adequate and functional firefighting equipment, engaging qualified disaster management personnel, ensuring all doors and windows open from outside, as well as sounding disaster alarms during an emergency, amongst other strategies. However, a mismatch between the knowledge of these strategies and implementation on the ground was evident in most schools. It was recommended that continuous exposure to disaster management techniques should be cognizant of the fact that preparedness can only be achieved and maintained through a continuous cycle of planning, organizing, training, equipping, exercising, evaluating, and taking corrective action (187 words).