Challenges to Implement Disaster Risk Reduction in Schools of Developing Country: Study on Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Disaster has become a frequent phenomenon in today’s world and is affecting many worlds’ population. The urban areas are highly vulnerable to hazards as urban population is increasing rapidly. Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh is in high risk of earthquake, fire hazards, water logging etc. The study has been carried out to ascertain the challenges to implement the Disaster Risk Reduction in the schools of Dhaka city focusing the urban disaster such as earthquake and fire hazard. DRR integration in education system has ensured safe school facility for school going children as well as reducing the risk of community through school-community cooperation. This study follows the Comprehensive Global School Safety Framework, (GADRRRES) to find out the school preparedness and emergency management plan. Mixed method was carried out to collect and analysis data from students, their parents, teachers and staff about the condition of the DRR practices in education, plans and the challenges to implement DRR through FGD, semi-structured questionnaire survey. SWOT analysis has been conducted to understand the current condition of DRR practice in schools of Dhaka city. It has been observed that the respondents have little knowledge about DRR, and most of the schools don’t have enough DRR practice and plan. Although DRR is integrated in curricula, the schools do not practice DRR exercises and trainings. A school management plan has been proposed to improve the current condition; thereby the schools of Dhaka city can be prepared for future disaster.