Developing Disaster-Resilient Schools Through Disaster Education in High-Risk Areas: A Case Study of Padang City, Indonesia

¹ Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Social and Political Science, Universitas Andalas, Padang, 25175, Indonesia
² Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Pembagunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta, Jakarta 12450, Indonesia
³ Doctoral Program of Policy Studies, Faculty of Social and Political Science, Universitas Andalas, Padang, 25175, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: roniekhaputera@soc.unand.ac.id

Abstract

Padang is one of the regions in Indonesia with a high risk of tsunamis and earthquakes, making disaster education a critical component of local environmental risk reduction strategies. This study develops a Disaster-Resilient School model that aligns disaster education activities with local socio-environmental conditions. A qualitative approach was applied using in-depth interviews with multi-level stakeholders, including the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), sub-district officials, school administrators, teachers, disaster preparedness community groups, and civil society actors. The findings show that although the Disaster Safe Education Unit (SPAB) program has been supported by regional policy frameworks and cross-sector collaboration, its implementation remains constrained by limited funding, insufficient teacher training, and the absence of systematic curriculum integration. However, the presence of local disaster preparedness networks, the recognition of tsunami-ready communities, and the role of local wisdom and cultural practices enhance community engagement potential. Strengthening institutional coordination, improving teacher competencies, and embedding disaster education into the formal curriculum are recommended to ensure the sustainability of environmentally-based disaster resilience efforts in schools.