Moffat Mungazi
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
THE education sector is poised to become more resilient to climatic disasters as Government finalises the National Education in Emergencies Policy that aims to ensure children affected by disasters have access to inclusive education in safe environments.
The policy — which will further strengthen the capacity of schools and communities to prepare for, and respond to such emergencies — comes amid revelations that 120 schools across the country were damaged by floods, while several children drowned in Manicaland trying to cross flooded rivers to attend school during the 2024/25 rainy season.
Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister, Honourable Angeline Gata revealed that key initiatives include construction of flood-resistant schools in the high-risk districts of Buhera, Mutasa, Chipinge, and Chimanimani by 2026.
Deputy Minister Gata said the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is also scaling up the e-Learning Zimbabwe programme to ensure the continuity of lessons delivery during emergencies, with solar-powered digital learning tools set to be rolled out to off-grid areas.
Additionally, teachers are also being trained in psychosocial support, disaster preparedness, and adaptive teaching methods to build a more robust education system.
Deputy Minister Gata said this during the commemorations to mark Global Action Week for Education 2025, held at Rutsate Primary School in Honde Valley, Mutasa District last Friday.
She said the Primary and Secondary Education Ministry is taking bold and proactive measures to guarantee that no child’s education is disrupted or compromised by climate-related disasters in the future.
“The 2024/25 rainy season wreaked havoc on our education sector, with over 120 schools damaged by floods nationwide, including in Manicaland. This displaced thousands of learners. These schools are not just buildings — they represent the future of our nation. Each damaged school signifies broken dreams, disrupted learning, and a country deprived of its children’s full potential,” she said.
Deputy Minister Gata said climate change is no longer a distant threat, but a harsh reality, particularly for rural learners who brave long distances, hunger, and treacherous rivers to access education.
“In Buhera District alone, three children tragically lost their lives this year while attempting to cross flooded rivers to attend school. This is not only heart-breaking, but unacceptable. No child should die in pursuit of education,” she said, adding that in six provinces affected by drought, learners, especially girls, are forced to walk over 10 kilometres daily in search of water. This has contributed to rising cases of school dropouts.
“These statistics represent lives interrupted, girls forced into early marriages, and boys lured into child labour. This is a crisis of national proportions,” she said.
In response to the crisis, she said her ministry has launched a multi-faceted strategy to strengthen the education sector’s resilience against floods and droughts.
She said Government, under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, is finalising the National Education in Emergencies Policy and aligning it with global disaster frameworks like the Sendai Framework.
“We are working to ensure that every new school in flood-prone areas is flood-resistant. By 2026, new construction standards will include climate resilience as a core requirement. Under the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP), and with support from partners like UNICEF and the Global Partnership for Education, new classroom blocks will be built in high-risk areas like Buhera, Mutasa, Chipinge, and Chimanimani. These blocks will be designed to withstand climate shocks,” she said, adding that to ensure learning continuity during emergencies, the Ministry is scaling up the e-Learning Zimbabwe programme.
“We will not let floods or droughts disrupt education again. Every off-grid learner will have access to solar-powered digital tools,” she said, adding that teachers are also being equipped to respond to emergencies.
“We are training them in psychosocial support, disaster preparedness, and teaching in uncertain conditions. Our goal is to build a resilient education system that adapts and thrives under pressure,” she said.
Deputy Minister Gata said a National School Safety Volunteers Programme, which will see communities being trained and equipped to protect their schools through early-warning systems and rapid-response networks, is also in the pipeline.
She also called on local authorities to do their part by enforcing land-use regulations and avoiding construction of schools in high-risk floodplains.
Deputy Minister Gata also urged development partners to align their interventions with national priorities, including the soon-to-be-launched Education in Emergencies Fund, which will ensure rapid response in future disasters.
“In the Second Republic, guided by President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy (NDS1), we are not making empty promises, we are building an education system that works even in times of adversity.
“Let today be a turning point. No child should ever have to choose between their safety and schooling. Education is our survival and our sovereignty, and we will defend it with action, urgency, and every fibre of our national will,” she said.
Online Reporter