Service Learning on Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction Information: Perspectives from Students and Community Members

The study explored the conduct of a service learning (SL) activity by senior high school students (N=110) in disseminating information about Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction (DRRR) to community participants (N=139). Senior high school students from a public sector senior high school in the Philippines conducted a community service learning activity. Before conducting the service learning activity, students determined the familiar disasters that the community participants commonly experienced and then developed the DRRR brochure. Students compiled their DRRR learning into a brochure and used it to discuss disaster mitigation with the community. Researchers used standardised tests and survey forms to determine the participants' pre and post-knowledge, skills and attitudes toward disasters. Quantitative results showed that both the student and community participants perceived that the service learning activity had allowed them to gain more knowledge on disaster mitigation with an overall Disaster Related Knowledge Questionnaire (DRKQ) of p<0.05. Likewise, Civic Action and Skills Questionnaire (CASQ) revealed that the activity helped the students to improve their communication and social skills and the community participants' leadership skills at p<0.05. The qualitative data showed that both the students and the community participants better understood the DRRR concepts and perceived that the service learning activity had benefited and taught them disaster mitigation.