School Earthquake Safety Review

PEB organised a school earthquake safety review in which governments from OECD and non-OECD countries, including individual provinces and states, participated. The review was be composed of a self-evaluation questionnaire and an optional review visit conducted by a team of experts to interested countries.

Improvements in the design and construction of new and existing schools, that can often be made quickly and at a reasonable cost, would significantly lower their seismic risk and help prevent unnecessary loss of life and material damage.

At the end of 2008, PEB is due to report to the OECD Council on the actions taken by member countries to establish and implement programmes in this area. Experts believe that applying the OECD Recommendation Concerning Guidelines on Earthquake Safety in Schools could significantly reduce the number of schools that collapse and injuries to students and staff.

For more information, contact: hannah.vonahlefeld@oecd.org.