Lobby to State: Ensure Floods Situation Doesn't Paralyse Learning In Our Schools

Martha Muhwezi

Executive Director and Secretary to the FAWE Africa Board

By MAXIMILLA WAFULA & Patrick KIMANZI 

Nairobi, 13 May 2024 - Forum for African Women Educationalists Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE-Africa) has challenged the government to ensure continuity in education, especially for marginalised groups, amidst disasters like the current floods.

Executive director Muhwezi said the COVID-19 pandemic showcased the consequences of prolonged school closures—increased teenage pregnancies and gender-based violence.

“By prioritising it education , equity, and resilience, Africa can confront future crises with preparedness and unity.” She also  noted that extreme weather events like flooding and heatwaves wreak havoc, disproportionately affecting girls and women.

“Millions of children see their education interrupted annually, with girls bearing the brunt of this disruption,” she said.

She said the COVID-19 pandemic showcased the consequences of prolonged school closures—increased teenage pregnancies and gender-based violence.

“The recent announcement of school closures in Kenya due to devastating floods echoes the harsh reality of climate change-induced disasters. These calamities don't just disrupt daily life; they strike hardest at the most vulnerable, especially girls and women,” she explained.

Schools reopened on Monday to a busy, compressed and uncertain second term after a two-week extension of the April holidays due to heavy rains.

However, some 2,155 schools would not reopen, despite President William Ruto’s order that learning resumes on May 13.

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu on Thursday said up to five per cent of schools will not resume learning because the infrastructure has been badly damaged by floods.

He said the affected schools are spread across seven counties, including Tana River, Homa Bay and Kisumu.

In a statement, Muhwezi advocated for resilient education systems, inclusive approaches to learning, and community engagement as pillars of sustainable solutions.

She called for comprehensive, gender-responsive contingency plans and investments in emergency response to break the recurring cycle of disasters.

“By prioritising education, equity, and resilience, Africa can confront future crises with preparedness and unity,” she added.

She noted that extreme weather events in Africa result in millions of children having their education interrupted annually, with girls bearing the brunt of this disruption.

Muhwezi said there was need for urgent action, citing past disasters like the cyclones in Malawi, Comoros, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.

“These events, coupled with declarations of drought and displacement of thousands, paint a grim picture of recurring crises,” she said.

She further stressed the need of addressing underlying gender inequalities and ensuring access to essential services like Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).