Knowledge of secondary school students is the central topic of this scientific publication.
Abstract
The consequences of the floods that inundated the territory of Serbia in 2014 indicated a high level of citizen unpreparedness to respond to the situation. Starting from this fact, the basic idea of this research is to examine the level and correlation of certain factors with the student’s knowledge about floods as natural disasters. The research aims to scientifically explain the correlation between students’ knowledge about floods and these factors. The research consisted of a survey on a sample of 3,498 respondents who comprise 8.96% of the student population. The respondents were students from 19 secondary schools, out of a total of 54 in the territory of 11 affected municipalities of the city of Belgrade. The research results suggest that flood related knowledge is influenced by the student’s gender, education and employment status of parents, and education acquired in school and the family, while the knowledge of safety procedures for responding to floods is influenced by fear, gender and the educational level of parents. These results can be used in creating educational programme strategies to enhance preparedness for response.
Conclusions
Judging by the results of the research, there is a statistically significant correlation between the gender of the respondents, on the one hand, and perception, knowledge, and disaster preparedness for responding to natural disasters caused by flooding, on the other hand. Female respondents have better perceptions and knowledge, while male respondents are more prepared to react in such situations. Flood education should focus on developing the capacity of girls to respond and on developing boys’ perception and knowledge of floods. On the other hand, such a statistically significant correlation does not exist with the age of the respondents or the previous experience of their fathers, mothers, grandfathers, and grandmothers. Furthermore, the results show a statistically significant correlation between the education of the father and mother, on the one hand, and knowledge, perceptions, and disaster preparedness for responding to natural disasters caused by flooding, on the other hand. In addition, the results indicate a statistically significant correlation between education in the family and the perception and knowledge of natural disasters caused by flooding. When it comes to education in school, it is also correlated only with perception and knowledge. The fear of flooding affects the perception and familiarity with safety response procedures. A statistically significant correlation has been established between obtaining flood-related information through television, the internet, video games, radio, and lectures, and knowledge of natural disasters caused by flooding. On the other hand, there is no correlation between the radio and lectures and the perception of flooding. The research results indicate the great importance of education about natural disasters caused by floods, both in school and in the family. In view of that, educational policymakers can use these findings to perform a thorough analysis of primary and secondary school curricula and determine to what extent the relevant content is incorporated in the curricula. Undoubtedly, it imposes on us an obligation to continue researching this topic and to find strategies for working with students in a way that enhances their preparedness for responding to natural disasters caused by flooding.
How to cite
Reference – Cvetković, V., Lipovac, M., & Milojković, B. (2016). Knowledge of secondary school students in Belgrade as an element of flood preparedness. Journal for social sciences, TEME, 15(4), 1259-1273.
