Developing Sustainable Schools in the Shadow of Active Stratovolcano: A Study at Disaster-Prone Areas of Merapi Volcano

Abstract

Education is a right for people that must be given to children, even in an emergency of eruption disaster. To ensure the sustainable education during the crisis situations, ideas on how to develop a sustainable school system in the stratovolcano area which is prone to eruption disaster are needed. This research was conducted at schools located in the western side of Merapi Volcano, attempting to provide alternative information about the potential and role of schools in providing education during emergency situations of eruption disaster. Data in the study were collected through interviews, observations, remote sensing image interpretations, and documentations. Data were analysed by scoring and spatial analysis using geographic information systems. The results of the study are as follows. First, schools have the potential to provide education during the disaster emergency situations. School potential consists of physical infrastructure and human resource potential in the form of the role of the principal and teachers. Second, most of the level of school preparedness in facing disasters is still in the low category. This needs to be strengthened to ensure that the schools continue to function during the crisis period. Last, a division of roles in the sister school system is needed based on the location of the school toward the eruption centre. The schools in the safe zone act as a buffer for schools in vulnerable areas. Overall, schools have the potential to keep running the learning process during the crisis periods. This requires good management through the sister school system within the framework of sustainable school initiatives.