DISASTER PREPAREDNESS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL LEARNERS AWARENESS OF SCHOOL SUSPENSION PROTOCOLS IN CALAMITIES

This research investigates the awareness and preparedness of learners at Taft National High School, located in the Philippines' disaster-prone Eastern Visayas region, regarding school suspension protocols during natural disasters. Focusing on scenarios such as tropical cyclones, heavy rainfall, flooding, earthquakes, and power outages, the study employs a descriptive research design and a stratified random sampling technique. Data collected through a questionnaire reveal a moderate baseline awareness among participants, with notable gaps in understanding specific details of protocols. While learners exhibit general knowledge of school responsibilities and automatic class cancellations during disasters, there is a need for targeted interventions to enhance comprehension of warning systems, differentiation between severity levels, and the roles of various authorities. The study emphasizes the importance of collaboration with parents, local government units, and the integration of disaster risk reduction education into the curriculum. Recommendations include instituting educational campaigns to address awareness gaps and strengthen learner preparedness for a more resilient school community.