ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS IN SCHOOL SETTING: IMPLICATION FOR SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY COLLABORATION

Abstract

Collaboration between school and community is important for protecting the health of school children especially through effective preparedness for cases of emergency and accidents which are common in school environment. This paper reviewed accident and emergency preparedness in school setting vis-à-vis its implication for school and community collaboration as well as the importance of school and community collaboration based on the collaborative model. The concepts of school accidents, emergency preparedness and the factors that could predispose students to accidents and emergencies particularly as imposed by the school environment were reviewed. It was thus suggested that close collaboration with community should be established by schools’ owners. Community should collaborate with schools in the areas of funding and supplying of necessary information that could aid planning. Researchers should conduct studies on accident and emergency management in schools. Lastly, government should provide a legal framework that will encourage school and community collaboration.