Disaster prevention measures at schools in Ishikawa Prefecture following the 2023 Oku-Noto earthquake

Abstract

Following the "2023 Oku-Noto Earthquake" that occurred in the Noto region of Ishikawa Prefecture on May 5, 2023, a questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data on school safety responses made by schools in Ishikawa Prefecture. The results showed that for each item of information gathering, fixing of teaching equipment, and confirmation of school safety plans, issues tended to be overlooked in schools in the Kaga region, which is located farther away, compared to schools in the Noto region, which is closer to the epicenter. It is desirable to not overlook issues, but to see them as opportunities for the PDCA cycle and to improve school disaster prevention systems. In addition, as a source of information gathering, face-to-face opportunities for education personnel, such as principals' meetings and vice-principals' meetings, were highly rated over the mass media. In the future, it will be important for the Board of Education to mediate information gathering and dissemination.