Future perspective of school disaster education in Nepal

Purpose - One 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/approach - This 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. Findings - Results 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/implications - This 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 implications - The study findings are of significant importance for school teachers or education department while designing the curriculum for disaster education. Originality/value - The findings and recommendations are field-tested in Nepal and hence offer higher possibilities of adaptation, particularly in developing countries.