Abstract
School textbooks have a significant role in transferring knowledge to the students and changing their behavior. This work aims to analyze school textbooks to find the representation of natural hazards in Iran, which is vital for supporting children in disaster situations. In this study, a qualitative content analysis was used. Data were analyzed qualitatively by using MAXQDA 2018 software. For the 2019-2020 school year, 300 Iranian school textbooks in Persian language were collected. Findings of this work show that students receive information about disaster risk reduction (DRR) education through the primary and secondary grade levels in all 12 grades. The educational content covers various types of natural hazards, including geophysical, hydrological, climatological, meteorological, and biological disasters. In addition, the textbooks contain discussions about local hazards, causes and effects of disasters, and the disaster management cycle. The coverage of DRR and the relevant contents in school textbooks reveals that the discourse of natural hazards is important for Iranian authorities, especially in the education system. This study helps decision-makers and practitioners design more effective interventions to prepare children for disasters.
Highlights
IntroductionNatural hazards could be categorized as geophysical (earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, and volcanic activity), hydrological (avalanches and floods), climatological (extreme temperatures, drought, and wildfires), meteorological (cyclones and storms/wave surges) or biological disasters (disease epidemics and insect/animal plagues).[2] If a community or a society is severely malfunctioned by natural hazards because of its vulnerability, exposure, and capacity, it is facing a disaster
In recent decades, countries have experienced more natural hazards.[1]
This study examines the representation of natural hazards in school textbooks of Iran as a disaster-prone country with high vulnerability at all grades of primary and secondary schools in the education year 2019–2020
Summary
Natural hazards could be categorized as geophysical (earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, and volcanic activity), hydrological (avalanches and floods), climatological (extreme temperatures, drought, and wildfires), meteorological (cyclones and storms/wave surges) or biological disasters (disease epidemics and insect/animal plagues).[2] If a community or a society is severely malfunctioned by natural hazards because of its vulnerability, exposure, and capacity, it is facing a disaster. Iran is among the most disaster-prone countries in the Middle East and North Africa region.[3] The World Risk Index report rated Iran’s vulnerability to natural hazards as high, which has resulted in a significant financial, social, and physical loss.[4] Disasters in Iran have killed nearly 110 000 people from 1990 to 2019.5 Earthquake, flood, drought, landslide, and storm are the most frequent natural hazards in Iran. These 2 natural hazards, along with drought, have cost the government more than other disasters in the last 100 years.[6]
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