At Rubens de Castro Bomtempo Municipal School, the alarm sounds, and the students spring into action, executing a well-rehearsed school evacuation. Guided by their own School Safety Committees, they quickly organize and lead the evacuation, ensuring safety for all. This efficient response is part of a larger initiative in Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, where schools are integral to community-based risk management.
The students and staff of 51 “Resilient Schools” across the municipality have taken up the challenge of identifying risks, preparing for emergencies, and responding to crises, such as the landslides and floods that frequently hit their region. Petrópolis, located in the mountainous southeastern region of Brazil, is notorious for its high number of socio-environmental disasters. Given this backdrop, fostering a culture of risk awareness, prevention, and resilience is crucial, and schools are leading the way.
The School Safety Committees
The Resilient Schools have established School Safety Committees, divided into prevention, preparedness, and response teams. These teams are responsible for creating emergency protocols, mapping out risks, and developing early warning systems. Each student, staff member, and teacher plays a role in ensuring the safety and readiness of their school. Special considerations are given to students with disabilities, ensuring that every member of the school is safely evacuated in case of emergencies.
The committees conduct regular drills, such as the one at Rubens de Castro Bomtempo, where over 400 people evacuated in just 2 minutes and 46 seconds. These efforts are not limited to drills; the committees also engage in reforestation efforts and track rainfall using homemade rain gauges practical actions that connect students to the real-world challenges of their environment.
A Broader Mission
Beyond the immediate safety concerns, the Resilient Schools Program aligns with global goals such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). The initiative aims to empower young people, making them active agents in disaster risk management, while also fostering leadership and social innovation.
In 2024, students planted 1,100 seedlings in reforestation areas and installed over 1,000 homemade rain gauges to monitor rainfall a critical activity in a region prone to landslides. The community-wide school evacuation drill on November 29, 2023, involved 18,000 people across 149 educational institutions, underscoring the municipality’s commitment to resilience.
A Model for Brazil
The Resilient Schools Program is a pioneering educational initiative in Brazil. It serves as a model for how schools can become hubs of community resilience, empowering students to be agents of social transformation. By integrating disaster preparedness into education, the program not only safeguards lives but also equips young people with the skills and knowledge to lead their communities in facing the challenges of climate change and urbanization.
As Petrópolis continues to grapple with the cyclical disasters it faces, these schools stand as examples of how education can be a tool for creating safer, more resilient communities. Through leadership, collaboration, and proactive measures, the students and staff are building a culture of resilience that extends beyond the school walls and into the heart of their communities.