INTEGRATION OF COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL SAFETY FRAMEWORK (CSSF) IN THE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANS OF PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE DIVISION OF ALBAY

Effective approach to disaster preparedness in schools is exhibited in the school’s initiatives in providing opportunities for the learning community to comply with the standards of the School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management by integrating the Comprehensive School Safety Framework that support their responsibilities. Hence, this research determined the level of integration of the CSSF into the School Improvement Plans (SIPs) of public secondary schools in Guinobatan, Camalig, and Daraga, Albay. The study used descriptive method research design utilizing survey technique, interview, and documentary analysis. This study involved 19 public secondary schools in the identified setting and conducted the study with the school heads. The analyzed data revealed that the three pillars of the CSSF namely safe school learning facilities (3.53), school disaster management (3.61), and risk reduction and resilience education (3.64) are integrated in the SIPs. It was also found out that most of the challenges encountered by the respondents are relevant to issues related to insufficient resources, training, and infrastructure while best practices are characterized by proactive engagement, effective communication, and continuous improvement. It was also identified that public secondary schools have plans, activities, projects, and programs focused on hazard mapping (3.19), prevention and mitigation (3.28), preparedness (3.37), response (3.49), and rehabilitation and recovery (3.54) where respondents strongly agreed in the survey supported by the evidence in their SIPs. Therefore, the level of integration of the CSSF in the SIPs of public secondary schools is high, however, the plans and activities embedded in the SIPs did not capture a holistic integration of the CSSF, this study recommends a strategic action plan for school heads on effective integration of the Comprehensive School Safety Framework that can be included in the development of the next School Improvement Plans.