Disruption to Education
Each year, disasters have had a significant impact on children and education systems. Schools are extremely vulnerable to natural hazards. Between school years 2009/10 to 2013/14, schools’ top three hazard exposures were tropical cyclones, floods, and earthquakes. Children’s right to education is threatened during and after disasters. Education is often the first activity suspended when a disaster occurs.
In the last ten years, stronger typhoons have entered the country, leaving millions of children suffering from the long-term impacts. In 2013, the typhoon Yolanda brought destruction and long-lasting misery for millions of Filipinos. The education sector was badly hit. More than 3,000 schools that catered to over 1 million students were damaged. Thousands of students lost their school records, learning materials, and safe spaces to learn.
Thousands of classrooms were damaged by “super typhoon” Ompong in September 2018, leaving more than one million children out of school for some time. At least 170 schools have suffered flooding, and 2,000 classrooms were destroyed. By the end of 2020, thousands of schools were affected by typhoons Rolly and Ulysses, causing significant damage to properties, and many communities left without power. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, schools transitioned into online classes. Both typhoons caused major flooding and power outages in several communities, hindering students from accessing their schoolwork.
Due to the various natural disasters, children will continue to lose school days. The long-term impacts of disasters increase the risks of psychological stress and physical injuries to children, making them more likely to drop out. Without an education, children are at risk of violence, abuse, and exploitation, including child labor and child marriage. Climate change-related hazards and disasters have also prevented children from physically attending schools, such as road and water safety issues or flooding in their communities.
The slower on-set changes in climate have also contributed to the deterioration of livelihoods, forcing families to stop sending their children to school. A child who is out of school for more than a year is unlikely to return. In the Philippines, 16.6% of the population lives below the national poverty line, and education helps transform the lives of children by helping them overcome poverty. Quality education led to better health and increased income opportunities. With children continuing to lose school days during disasters, many will remain trapped in a life of poverty and hardship.
