School Administrators’ Risk Management Competence: Basis for Capacity-Building Innovation in Risk-Informed Planning

Education

In schools where natural hazards, security incidents, or health emergencies can abruptly disrupt learning, school administrators must possess the ability to anticipate, manage, and mitigate risks to ensure institutional continuity. This study assessed the risk management competencies of school administrators in far-flung public elementary schools in the Tboli West District, South Cotabato, and developed a capacity-building innovation based on the findings. Employing a descriptive–developmental research design, the study systematically described administrators’ competencies across technical, behavioral, and business domains while using the results to inform a context-responsive Plan of Action. Twenty (20) school administrators participated through a purposive sampling method, and data were collected using a structured survey questionnaire adapted and modified from the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management’s (IIRSM) Risk Management and Leadership Competence Framework. Findings revealed that administrators demonstrated high level of risk management competence with strengths in governance, leadership, compliance, and policy implementation. Moderate ratings were observed in project change management, innovative practices, and financial integrity, indicating areas requiring targeted enhancement. Based on these findings, a capacity-building intervention was formulated, emphasizing technical skill development, risk-informed innovation, and financial risk management to strengthen balanced, adaptive, and resilient leadership in high-risk and resource-constrained school contexts. The study underscores the importance of proactive, risk-informed leadership as a core component of school administration, particularly in geographically isolated and vulnerable areas

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