School buildings often have multiple purposes in a community. In addition to their role as learning centers, they often serve as gathering places for community events and fundraisers, meeting places for clubs and religious organizations, repositories for books and other technical equipment, and public shelters in emergency situations. When a school building is vulnerable to natural hazards the welfare of the entire community is at risk.

The vulnerability of school facilities must not be seen only in terms of the need to prevent catastrophic damages that may destroy the buildings. It is also necessary to prevent lesser damages that may affect the continuity of services these facilities provide. Only recently has it been recognized that damages to school infrastructure caused by natural events are directly related to a reduction in school hours, and consequently, to a decrease in the quality of education.