BY GEET DAGA, IX A
IF AN EARTHQUAKE TAKES PLACE EXACTLY
NOW, IN SCHOOL, WHAT WILL YOU DO?
And, how many of you are prepAred?
(everyone can answer)
BuT REMEMBER,
NOT EVERYONE IS.
Earthquake Preparedness in
Schools
INTRODUCTION:
Earthquakes are natural disasters that occur suddenly and
can cause immense destruction.
Schools, as places where large numbers of children gather, are
particularly vulnerable during such disasters.
IMPORTANCE OF THIS ISSUE
Every child has the right to receive an education, yet, the safety of
students and staff members during natural disasters stays ignored till
today.
Schools become dangerous locations for injuries and traumatic events
and loss of lives when they lack proper preparedness during
earthquakes.
Preparedness is IMPORTANT to protect students, teachers, and school
property during earthquakes.
Hence, I felt that it is essential to address this issue.
Research question:
How does lack of earthquake preparedness in schools increase risks, and
what practical steps can be taken to reduce these vulnerabilities?
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF
LACK OF PREPAREDNESS IN
SCHOOL?
Old and Weak Buildings
Many schools were built without earthquake-resistant
designs, making them a risky place for large amount of
students and staff.
Lack of Awareness
Students and teachers often do not know how to stay
safe or control themselves during an earthquake, and
when it actually occurs, they are clueless and their lives
are taken away.
Poor Safety Rules
Some areas do not have strict building safety rules for
schools, making it risky for everyone there. This makes them
feel helpless when an earthquake strikes.
Limited Funds
Many schools cannot afford to improve building safety or buy
emergency supplies
Neglect of Disaster Preparedness
Schools often focus only on studies and ignore the need of
disaster safety plans, like earthquakes.
WHAT ARE THE
CONSEQUENCES OF LACK
OF PREPAREDNESS IN
SCHOOLS?
(social, economic, environmental)
Injuries and Loss of Life
Weak buildings and lack of drills lead to more injuries and deaths
during earthquakes.
Psychological Trauma
Students and teachers may suffer from fear, anxiety, and long-term
trauma after experiencing an earthquake.
Damage to School Infrastructure
School buildings, furniture, and equipment can be badly damaged or
destroyed, making schools unsafe and hampering the environment
around it.
Disruption of Education
If schools are damaged, classes stop for weeks or months,
affecting students' learning.
Financial Burden
Repairing damaged schools or rebuilding them costs a lot of
money, which is hard for many communities.
POSSIBLE
SOLUTIONS
The Schools should be:
1.) Having a clear layout plan all across the school
2.)Conducting regular earthquake drills
3.)Making sure everyone is present and safe
4.)Having loud and clear alarms all across the school
5.)Making old school buildings earthquake resistant
6.) Keeping parents informed
7.)Marking clear evacuation routes
8.)Keeping emergency kits ready and accessible to all
9.)Training teachers and staff for emergencies
10.)Providing emotional support to students
11.)Working with local disaster management teams
12.)Using technology for quick alerts
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
BRITANNICA:
Bolt, B.A. (2018). Earthquake | definition, causes, effects, & facts. In: Encyclopædia Britannica. [online] Britannica.
Available at: [Link]
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS
[Link]. (2020). Disaster and Emergency Preparedness in Schools. [online] Available at: [Link]
care/school-health/disaster-and-emergency-preparedness-in-schools [Accessed 10 Jul. 2025].
Also, my parents who helped me throughout the project, and also Rajani Ma’am for guiding
me during the project.
THANK YOU!