After Cyclone Freddy, Zomba innovates to get scholars going

As winds and floods that ensued in the midst of Cyclone Freddy ravaged through Malawi’s southern parts, it led to the swelling of the country’s waterways and reservoirs.

In the district of Zomba, the bulging Lake Chilwa swallowed communities and schools, rendering thousands destitute and learners desolate as their schools were submerged in floods.

But for quick-thinking by the education authorities, a situation that seemed hopeless and desolate has given rise to hope and positivity.

At St Michael’s Primary School in the district, a hue of multi-coloured uniforms tortures a visitor’s thoughts as to what kind of institution learners to wear uniforms of their choice.

But here is the story.

According to Innocent Phambala, assistant centre coordinator for the zone, in the emerging disaster caused by Cyclone Freddy, the education authorities recognised the urgent need to get Standard 8 learners back to class to prepare them for the May 10 final primary school examinations.

“Three schools on the other side of Lake Chilwa, on the border with Mozambique, experienced the worst devastation. Actually, Chinguma, Ngotangota and Chisoni schools were all submerged in water. When the rains came, most of the teachers’ houses were damaged so we sent boats to collect them from across the lake. But after we brought back the teachers, we started thinking about our learners,” he explains.

He said it worried the education authorities that in the absence of the teachers, the learners would be affected, especially Standard 8 learners.

“The Standard 8 learners had been camping at the affected schools to prepare for the final exams. So, we had discussions with stakeholders and partners and so we were able to source mats, blankets and food for the learners and we were able to bring 34 Standard 8 learners from the affected three schools to come and join their friends here,” he said, adding that the authorities sent boats to move the learners from across the lake.

14-year-old Standard 8 learner Stafford Makwaina from Chisoni Primary School explained that he lost all his books and property in the floods as they camped at the school, making life hard for him and his classmates.

“Coming here has made it easier for us to concentrate on our education and we are hopeful that we will pass the exams,” he said.

On her part, 16-year-old St Michael’s Primary School learner Martha Makumba was despondent when the floods destroyed her home, rendering the family destitute.

“When the house fell, my family moved to the camp at the church. Although my family has managed to rebuild the house, there are still a lot of problems because all my books were lost,” she said.

But she says her mother has been able to start a business to support her education as she camps with fellow learners at the school.

Lewis Maliko, 14, a Standard 8 learner at Chinguma Primary School, says the combination of learners from different institutions has enhanced competition among learners.

“Because learners are coming from different school, there is high competition as everyone is trying to outdo the others and this is very good because everyone is working hard,” he said.

St Michael’s Primary School Head Teacher Wallace Chiromo notes that although the coming in of learners from the other three schools has created congestion in the classrooms, the school is preparing the learners for the final exams.

“We have a total of 84 Standard 8 learners and we are allowing them to study late and also, because of the interaction, the learners are sharing knowledge and this has helped a lot,” he said.

Chisoni Primary School Head Teacher Discipline Kandaya explained that although their school us submerged in water, it is important to get the learners ready for the exams.

“What we have to note is that although we have problems, the dates for final primary school exams have not been shifted so it is very important to get these learners prepared for the exams,” he said.

With support from Cummins, Save the Children is supporting Zomba districts with ensuring that learning environments are clean and safe, ready for the safe return of learners. Save the Children has conducted a rapid assessment to identify key priorities in the affected schools, and procured cleaning materials.

Save the Children has further oriented district, community and school structures to own the activity. School structures across 88 school in Zomba have identified 1,600 workers within the surrounding community of the school. A small incentive based on the government daily minimum wage for labors (MK2,000 about 15.5$) will be given after community have worked for 6-8 hours.  This initiative is aimed at supporting parents meet school for children that were affected.

According to the Ministry of Education, as of end March, at least 624 schools (550 primary school and 74 secondary schools) had been affected from 15 education districts in the country’s southern region.

“At least 724,811 learners have been affected, of which 356,396 are boys and 368,313 are girls.

Also, 408 schools are used as internally displace people camps,” the Ministry of Education said in a statement.

The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) update on the devastation caused by Cyclone Freddy indicates that reports from the 15 affected districts, the number of displaced people is at 659,278, with 747 camps set to accommodate the displaced.

As of end 20^th April 2023, the death toll stood at 679 (including 113 learners), with 2,178 injuries. The number of reported missing persons was at 533.