Curriculum of Maiko High School in Kobe

Abstract

The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake took place in 1995 and it left behind the important lessons of promoting the DRR education. The Environment and Disaster Mitigation Course was introduced in Hyogo Prefectural Maiko High School in April 2002, with the aim of fostering citizens who can contribute to the disaster management in various levels. One-third of course curriculum is composed of the disaster-and environment-related subjects which can give knowledge on natural hazards and social environment. In addition, the course takes several off-school learnings into curriculum such as visiting active fault place and disaster museum. Students have opportunities to practice their learning at actual field by visiting neighboring schools to teach about disaster management, going to disaster-affected areas to work as volunteers, and joining various meetings to share the experience of Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. It has been already 12 years since the course was introduced and nearly 400 students have already graduated from that course. The questionnaire survey was conducted for those who have graduated, and the results show that graduates have been involving in disaster-related activities even after their graduation. It also demonstrates that DRR education which interlink student's future vision and DRR and experience-based education are effective to bring DRR into occupation and study as well as keeping active participation in DRR. The educational method of the course thus shows its effectiveness and it can be applied in different practices of DRR education.