from ARMANDO DOMINGOS in Maputo, Mozambique
Mozambique Bureau
MAPUTO, (CAJ News) – THE worst flooding in decades to pummel Mozambique have sparked an education crisis in the country.
About 230 000 children have been cut off from school this year after torrential rains damaged hundreds of schools, homes and roads.
Heavy rainfall began in late December and caused widespread, severe flooding across the south in January. This triggered a rapidly escalating emergency as the country entered its annual cyclone season.
Tropical Cyclone Gezani hit in mid-February bringing more torrential rainfall and winds of up to 215 km/h.
The flooding has affected more than 720 000 people this year. Over half of them are children.
More than 430 schools have been affected and more than 840 classrooms completely destroyed by powerful winds and floodwaters.
As damage to roads has prevented teachers and students from reaching classrooms, other schools have been used to shelter displaced families.
Flooding postponed the start of the school year from January 31 but it is highly unlikely affected students will return this Friday when school is set to resume.
Save the Children in Mozambique lamented the setback.
“Children in southern Mozambique are once again on the front lines of the climate crisis,” Ilaria Manunza, Country Director, said.
“Back-to-back flooding has destroyed their schools and robbed them of their education, putting their futures at risk and the cyclone season has just begun.”
Manunza said thousands of children and families were already reeling from previous cyclones and climate emergencies.
Save the Children is supporting children out of school by running education activities in safe spaces. This includes temporary accommodation centres and 20 schools in Gaza province.
It is also training teachers to deliver structured, play-based learning reinforced by primary school textbooks to support learning and emotional well-being.
Mozambique is bearing the brunt of climate change.
– CAJ News