School risk assessment and management: an integrated model for vulnerable educational communities

Abstract

The present article proposes a comprehensive methodology for risk assessment and management in rural and vulnerable educational institutions, with a focus on overcoming the limitations of standardized models. The model utilizes an innovative formula that weighs three key dimensions: hazards (natural or social), vulnerability (structural or socioeconomic), and contextual factors (geographic or cultural). This approach enables the accurate identification of risks and their adaptation to local realities. The methodology applied in the Hugues Manuel Lacouture Rural Educational Institution (Colombia) integrates a participatory approach, wherein teachers, students, and families collaborate in the co-design of mitigation and response strategies, ranging from emergency protocols to community resilience programs. The findings demonstrate that a contextualized assessment not only enhances physical safety but also fortifies social cohesion and educational continuity in challenging environments. The article's conclusion asserts that this approach, which integrates technical data with local knowledge, emerges as a pivotal instrument to guarantee safe and dignified school environments, thereby contributing to the formulation of more equitable and effective public policies in highly vulnerable contexts.