Preparedness in School-Lessons Learned and the Way Forward

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in violent incidents in Norwegian schools. At the same time, many threats of school shootings and bombings have been posted in the digital domain, targeting various schools in Norway. Norwegian schools and police authorities have issued guidance on contingency planning for severe incidents in kindergartens and educational institutions. The guidance specifies that institutions must plan their preparedness and exercises based on a risk and vulnerability analysis. However, although responsibilities are specified, the guidance does not stress the need to include teachers and pupils in preparedness planning. Thus, this paper aims to study how preparedness planning incorporates teachers and pupils at schools and how inclusion in preparedness planning impacts the school climate. Data stems from three studies examining the degree to which school staff and pupils are confident in handling unforeseen incidents, focusing on incidents involving ongoing life-threatening violence (Norwegian abbreviation: PLIVO). All studies conclude that the preparedness work is limited to the school's management and administration. Teachers and pupils are not engaged in preparedness work. These findings show a need for further development work within relevant pedagogy and curriculum development in schools, where preparedness is included in a new bow-tie diagram. Good emergency preparedness in schools can positively influence the school climate and promote health, inclusion, well-being, learning, and the capacity to respond to an incident/accident. Norwegian schools are required by law to facilitate a safe and sound school climate, making preparedness essential for building and maintaining a good school climate. Our studies indicate that pupils want to be part of the preparedness but are not involved in the preparedness work. Involving pupils in emergency planning may broaden their perspective, positively impact emergency planning, and prepare them for responding to an incident/accident.

Keywords: Preparedness, School, Ongoing deadly violence, Participation, Leadership, Pedagogy.