Attitude of B.Ed. Student-Teachers towards Disaster Preparedness in Coimbatore District, India

Abstract

B.Ed. student-teachers, as future educators, must be equipped with both pedagogical competencies and practical awareness of disaster preparedness. The present study investigates the attitude of B.Ed. student-teachers towards disaster preparedness in Coimbatore District, with specific reference to selected demographic variables such as gender, locality, parents’ occupation, and year of study. A normative survey method was employed for the study. The sample consisted of 100 student-teachers (50 males and 50 females), selected using stratified random sampling techniques. Data were collected using a self-developed Attitude towards Disaster Preparedness Scale comprising 20 items measured on a five-point Likert continuum. Statistical techniques such as mean, standard deviation, and the independent samples t-test were used for data analysis. The findings revealed a mean score of 72.65, indicating student-teachers possess a moderately high level of attitude towards disaster preparedness. Furthermore, no statistically significant differences were found with respect to gender, locality, parents’ occupation, and year of study. The study emphasises the need for strengthening disaster preparedness components within teacher education programs to promote resilience and effective disaster risk reduction practices in schools. The results also indicate that while awareness levels are satisfactory, there is a need for continuous reinforcement through structured training, practical exposure, and institutional support mechanisms to ensure long-term preparedness and responsiveness among future teachers. Collaboration with local disaster response agencies is recommended to provide real-world exposure and strengthen decision-making abilities during emergencies.