MARTIN MAWAYA
Zimbabwe’s education system has long been grappling with underfunding and lack of resources, but the amplifying effects of the climate crisis are exacerbating these challenges.
Climate change has been widely recognized as a reality posing serious social, political, economic and environmental consequences, particularly in vulnerable countries like Zimbabwe.
Extreme heat, droughts, and severe storms are disrupting education and jeopardizing the future of young learners.
Powerful storms have also ravaged school infrastructure, with many buildings suffering roof collapses or flooding.
The El Niño-induced drought has severely impacted water sources near schools, forcing students to spend hours each day fetching water instead of attending classes.
These devastating climate impacts have a ripple effect, as students fall behind and some may never return to finish their studies when cyclones hit the schools.
Educationist and climate change expert Peter Makwanya emphasized that climate change is robbing children of their futures.
“It’s not just about missing classes. It’s about the long-term consequences of interrupted learning and the loss of opportunities,” he said.
Makwanya called for systemic change to safeguard Zimbabwe’s educational system against the climate crisis.
“We have to build climate resilience into every aspect of our schools. The infrastructure, the curriculum and the support services,” he said, adding that the future of our country depends on it.
Makwanya also explained that the advent of El Niño-induced droughts has resulted in many children dropping out of school, leading to malnutrition and health-related problems, thereby impacting Sustainable Development Goals 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), and 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
A teacher from Shurugwi district, identified as Memory, highlighted that food insecurity driven by climate change threatens students’ ability to learn.
She noted that crop failures and livestock losses make it difficult for families to afford school fees or provide nutritious meals, leading to malnutrition and absenteeism.
“Hungry kids can’t focus on their schoolwork,” she said.
Research indicates that disruptions to education disproportionately impact girls, who are more likely to be pulled out of school to help with household chores or agricultural work when resources are scarce.
According to the 2024 Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZIMLAC) report, 22.3% of school-going children were out of school, with the education ministry revealing that 32,700 secondary school learners dropped out in 2020, increasing to 50,744 in 2022.
A recent policy brief by the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) highlighted that climate change exposes learners to natural disasters that damage infrastructure and negatively affect children’s learning environment.
With the Sustainable Development Center for Africa’s 2030 Report Series also indicated that undernutrition in Africa is 19% higher than in any other continent, with food insecurity at 22%, severely impacting agricultural productivity, which is crucial for poverty reduction.
Despite these daunting challenges, the government has implemented measures to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change.
These initiatives include strengthening the integration of climate-smart education systems into curricula, intensifying water harvesting efforts, and providing safe water sources to ensure reliable supply at every village and school.
Furthermore, the government has established feeding schemes at schools and nutritional gardens to help address food insecurity.
