INVESTIGATING FLOODING IMPACTS ON CHILDRENS EDUCATION IN CHIKWAWA DISTRICT, SOUTHERN MALAWI.

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, 2015–30, calls for countries to enhance disaster preparedness for effective response and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction as a pathway to disaster risk reduction. The present study was undertaken to assess the impacts of flooding on children’s education in chikwawa district, southern Malawi. The study focused to analyze household vulnerability that expose school children to risk of flooding and to quantify how stakeholder interventions address effects of floods on the state of children’s education. During the survey, data was collected from total of 80 households and three (3) schools. The population was purposively selected as it deals only participants with detailed knowledge or direct experiences in relation to the impacts of floods on children’s education within the community. A structured interview schedule (questionnaire) was used to collect data, while some qualitative data collection methods included key informant interviews (KII), focus group discussions and informal interviews. Key findings indicated that schools are washed and completely destroyed followed by long time of recovery and rehabilitation this implies that the total number of students who register and attend classes is lower this is associated with the years the area is heavily affected by floods. The result now provides evidence that in the year 2015 and 2019 the three schools had the lowest number of teachers due to severe floods. The paper speculate that this triggered the temporary relocation of teachers hence this affected the performance of the learners in national examination in the area. A further novel finding is that coping strategies are being employed by the households in order to deal with the flood situation, this include evacuation to upper land, receiving humanitarian support and food rationing and reducing number of meals per day. The paper concludes by arguing that floods cause heavy damage to school infrastructure making pupils to stay at home for longer periods until the schools are renovated. Future studies could fruitfully explore this issue further by assessing and mapping the flood evacuation centers as most schools are turned into refugee camps, and issues of child labor as children are subjected to work and support their parents instead of going to school during the flooding disasters.

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, 2015–30, calls for countries to enhance disaster preparedness for effective response and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction as a pathway to disaster risk reduction. Key findings indicated that schools are washed and completely destroyed followed by long time of recovery and rehabilitation this implies that the total number of students who register and attend classes is lower this is associated with the years the area is heavily affected by floods. A further novel finding is that coping strategies are being employed by the households in order to deal with the flood situation, this include evacuation to upper land, receiving humanitarian support and food rationing and reducing number of meals per day. Future studies could fruitfully explore this issue further by assessing and mapping the flood evacuation centers as most schools are turned into refugee camps, and issues of child labor as children are subjected to work and support their parents instead of going to school during the flooding disasters.

Chikwawa is one of the 13 districts in the southern region of Malawi. It covers an area of 4755 square kilometers with a population of 356682 (NSO 2018). It is located on the western bank of the shire river. The northern part of the district is mountainous while the southern part is a flat plain. This plain is used for settlement and agricultural practices. Chikwawa is prone to flooding because it lies in the lower shire valley where any increase in rainfall intensity in the highlands results in the swelling of the Ruo and Shire rivers causing devastating floods. In 2019 Chikwawa experienced one of the worst devastating floods due to cyclone idai, where all traditional authorities in the district were affected. This study was carried out in the area of traditional authority kasisi. According to the Chikwawa district council the population of Chikwawa grows at a rate of 2.19% annually. This population growth in the area increases the vulnerability of people, structures and goods towards floods disasters. Changes in environmental conditions such as precipitation, changes in river courses and catchment areas have also worsened the situation. Apart from floods, Chikwawa receives infrequent heavy rainfall subject to seasonal droughts.

Traditional authority: TA Kasisi

District: Chikwawa

Coordinates: -15.9504, 34.7986