School Leadership Practices as Related to Disaster Risk Reduction Management Implementation among Public Secondary Schools in South Cluster, Division of Cavite Province

Abstract

Disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, volcanic eruptions, and other hazards continue to pose significant risks to learners, school personnel, school facilities, and the continuity of education in the Philippines. Effective School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (SDRRM) therefore requires not only established policies and preparedness mechanisms but also effective leadership from school heads. This study examined the relationship between the leadership practices of school heads and the implementation of School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management among public secondary schools in the South Cluster, Division of Cavite Province. Specifically, it determined the extent of leadership practices in SDRRM planning and crisis management, assessed the extent of SDRRM implementation, and examined the relationship between leadership practices and SDRRM implementation.

The study employed a quantitative descriptive-correlational research design. Data were collected from 150 public secondary school teachers selected through simple random sampling. A researcher-developed questionnaire was used to assess leadership practices and SDRRM implementation. The instrument underwent expert content validation and pilot testing and obtained a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.79. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-sample t-test, and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation.

Results showed that school heads' leadership practices were implemented to a high extent in both SDRRM planning and crisis management, while SDRRM implementation was assessed to a moderate extent in both planning and crisis management. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant moderate positive relationship between leadership practices in SDRRM planning and SDRRM implementation (r = 0.48, p < .001), as well as between crisis management leadership practices and SDRRM implementation (r = 0.45, p < .001). Based on the findings, a School Disaster Preparedness Enhancement Plan, Project READY (Resilient Education through Advanced Disaster Preparedness and Yielding Safer Schools), was developed to address planning, crisis management, stakeholder coordination, capacity building, communication, monitoring, evaluation, and learning continuity.