Assessing Secondary School Teachers' Disaster Preparedness Using the Pakistan School Safety Framework and Sustainable Development Goals

In response to the potential risks posed by natural or human-made disasters, the Pakistan School Safety Framework (PSSF) was created to serve as a comprehensive strategy aimed at safeguarding the well-being of students, teachers, and school staff. A study was undertaken to evaluate the readiness of secondary school teachers in the face of disasters, utilizing the Sustainable Development Goals and the Pakistan School Safety Framework as guiding principles. An assessment questionnaire comprising 27 items aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was meticulously developed and scrutinized by three subject matter experts before implementation for data gathering. The assessment tool encompassed four variables and a total of 27 items. Data was collected from 64 schools and 320 secondary school instructors and was subsequently analyzed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel. The results revealed that the majority of schools fell into the "Slightly Prepared" category based on the assessment outcomes. Following the study, the researcher provided recommendations to enhance disaster preparedness among secondary school teachers. These included the implementation of regular drills, provision of training sessions, and updating of emergency response plans. Moreover, the researcher emphasized the significance of collaboration with local emergency services and community organizations to bolster preparedness efforts and ensure a coordinated response in the event of a disaster.