Education and climatic change

Such disasters can disrupt learning by destroying school buildings or classrooms and teaching resources that can leads to school closures. This affects the normal teaching and learning in the classroom. Even students can be scattered to different locations for safety due to their homes being destroyed by the disasters.

To minimize such disruption in learning, as a teacher i will planned in advance basically to cater for such situations as follows;

  1. I will create a home learning pack (HLP) booklet and distributed to every students in advanced to prepared them for the disasters. The booklet should contain every activities in relation to every topics in my teaching programs and syllabus. During the school lockdown they can work through from where we stop with the help of their parents or siblings. Whenever the school reopens then assessment will be given out for further adjustments. This will keeps the flow of learning even though the school is shutdown.

  2. If the school or students have access to tablets, phones and computers. Then the students can learn through e- learning during the lockdown period. The knowledge of e-learning should be known to every students in advanced for such disasters. Whenever the disasters strikes the students learning can still continue and will not disrupt them. Unless if the school is located in remote areas that does not have acess to technology will find it bit difficult.

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1.Such disasters are unplanned and its effects are colossal. These events bring out the best in communities while highlighting their vulnerabilities. Its most severe effect in learning is on studentsā€™ mental health. Studentsā€™ achievement and performance declines as a result.
Even if school resumes, there is a high rate of absenteeism arising from factors such as financial constraints and lack of social cohesion just to name a few.

  1. In order to minimise disruptions in learning, I should design a
    disaster preparedness curriculum with contingencies in place in case of such disasters and crisis.
    Furthermore, flexibility should be an important component within the curriculum, provided it is within clear boundaries and is aligning with the syllabi learning objectives. Such flexibility can include hybrid instructions.
    In addition teachers/educators would be given PD on how to implement appropriate strategies to support and encourage recovery.
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  1. Due to the disaster that disrupted the students learning has something that all teachers and educator have to taken seriously. schools closed due to the destruction caused in Vanuatu. student hardly go to school because some of the rooftops damage and the schools furniture might in a bad condition. all these issues leads to students to absence from school.
  2. as a teacher, i would rather do zoom class or online class to conduct my student on learning while they stay back at home.
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Hello everyone,

Vanuatu mostly affected by natural disasters such as cyclones, earthquake and volcanic eruptions. These natural disasters disrupt learning are as follows:

  1. School closure- due to natural disasters the schools are been often close due to the safety of the students and the teachers
  2. Infrastructure damage - due to the natural disaster the school building and the personal properties of teachers and students are damaged.
  3. Emotional stress- natural disaster leave people in trauma and it affects people emotionally or mentally as their loss everything in the disaster. It affects students learning and losses the focus of studying.
    (ii) To minimize the disruption in learning and teaching, I would developed the strategies such as:
  4. I would ensure that the students are well informed about the natural disaster and prepare the students mentally so that students are ready to face the situation. I would see that the students are drilled physically on the safety procedures and the safety measures.
  5. To avoid missing of lesson I would create a online zoom session where all the class would have been taken.
  6. I would also create flexible schedule : where the students can catch up on the missed lesson and extent the due dates for assessments.
  7. Communication: I would have create a platform for teacher and parents communication. Where I would receive and send regular feedback and information about children. It would have create a emotional change n parents.
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The main issues that will disrupt learning are:

  1. school will be closed due to the damages caused by the natural disasters.
  2. children will stay home and nothing to do with their schoolwork
  3. It will take time to re- open the school due to the severe damages of properties

In order to minimize the disruptions of learning, as a teacher I would prefer:

online learning- This is the best option but childrenā€™s needs to stay online and focus.
Deadlines - Give them ample time to complete assignments.
Delivering of worksheets: Prepare worksheets and distribute individually.
Communication - Keep in touch with parents and children to help them informed about any updates or expectations.

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Disastrous events can disturb learning in more ways than one, influencing both formal instructive organizations and individual. Here are a portion of the manners by which disastrous events can influence schooling:

1. School Closure

It is mandatory for school to close if natural disaster strikes. This is to safe guard the lives of students and teachers.

2. Damage of school infrastructure

Disasters can damage school building, equipment, and learning assets. This deficiency of framework can additionally postpone the resumption of normal classes.

This is some of the ways to minimize disruption in teaching and learning.

1. Creating Social Media Learning Platform

This allows students to excess learning documents such as notes and educational videos which allow them to learn despite school closure.

2. Weekly Home Study Package

Teachers can plan and print all worksheets and notes for a week and set date in which parents can come to collect. Once all the activities are completed student are to return worksheets back to teachers. Teachers are to mark and also planned the next weeks work and give it to parents when they come for Worksheets collection during school closure period.

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Hi everyone,
Here are my thoughts on the scenario.

A natural disaster like the one described in Vanuatu can have a significant impact on education and disrupt the learning process in several ways:

  1. Infrastructure damage: Buildings and school facilities may be damaged or destroyed, making it unsafe or impossible to conduct classes. This disruption can last for an extended period, depending on the severity of the damage.

  2. Displacement of students and teachers: Natural disasters often result in the displacement of individuals, including students and teachers. They may be forced to evacuate their homes and relocate to temporary shelters or different areas, making it challenging to continue regular schooling.

  3. Emotional and psychological impact: Natural disasters can cause significant trauma and stress for students and educators. This emotional impact can affect concentration, motivation, and overall well-being, making it challenging to engage in learning activities effectively.

  4. Disruption of resources: Essential educational resources like textbooks, learning materials, computers, and internet connectivity may be inaccessible due to damage or interruption of services. This lack of resources can hinder the teaching and learning process.

To minimize disruptions in learning following a natural disaster, as a teacher/educator I would consider the following strategies:

  1. Flexible learning approaches: Implement flexible learning approaches such as online education, blended learning, or distance learning, which can be adapted to various situations and allow students to continue their education remotely.

  2. Temporary learning spaces: Establish temporary learning spaces in safe locations, such as community centers or other undamaged buildings, to ensure continuity of education even when school buildings are affected.

  3. Trauma-informed teaching: Be sensitive to the emotional needs of students and create a supportive and nurturing learning environment. Incorporate activities to help students process and cope with the emotional impact of the disaster.

  4. Utilize available resources: Make use of available resources, such as mobile devices, community resources, and local expertise, to continue teaching and learning. This may involve utilizing community members as guest speakers or accessing digital resources that can be shared through mobile devices.

  5. Prioritize essential skills and knowledge: Focus on teaching essential skills and knowledge that can be acquired during the disrupted period. This may require adjusting the curriculum and prioritizing core subjects to ensure students are not left too far behind.

  6. Collaborative planning: Collaborate with other teachers, school administrators, and education authorities to develop a comprehensive plan for managing the learning disruptions caused by the disaster. This collaboration can help share resources, expertise, and support each other in delivering education during challenging times.

By implementing these strategies, teachers can help minimize disruptions in learning and support students in continuing their education even in the aftermath of a natural disaster.

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  1. Disasters disrupts learning in many ways. It all depends on the extent of damages. For example if the school classrooms are damaged then children would not be able to attend school. If electricity and water is cut off then there will be closure of school. Furthermore ,if children have lost their house then they would not be able to attend school due to lack of basic needs. So natural disasters have very high impact on learning.
    2.As a teacher I would design teaching and Learning through online platform if electricity is available.
    Suppose students are able to attend and they are not affected severly then I will design lessons that would cater for them to be resilient. It would be very challenging since any disaster has emotional impact on students. Another strategy could be to use worksheets for students to do at home like what was done during COVID-19. So the strategy used will depend on the impact of disaster on the infrustructure and on students environment.
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Disruption occurs due to natural causes or even man made causes when this happened we should have series of strategies that will be able to keep the students on track.

As a teacher i will design different platform such as Moodle, Zoom, Social media or others to interact with them so that no disruption will affect their studies

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  1. How does such a disaster disrupt learning?
  • They destroy school physical infrastructures
  • Learners miss classes/school attendance is disrupted.
  • Deaths of learners/caregivers
  1. As a teacher, how would you design teaching and learning to minimise disruptions in learning?
  • Design online teaching so that learning continues beyond the disruption.
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  1. Natural disasters like earthquake, cyclones that struck Vanuatu, disrupt learning in several ways:
    -physical damage to buildings
    -loss of learning materials
    -displacement of students and faculty
    -school closure
    -loss of academic progress
    -impact studentsā€™ ability to graduate on time
    -damage to infrastructure
    emotional stress and trauma

  2. To minimize the disruption in learning and teaching, I would develop the strategies such as:
    -disaster preparedness
    -adhere to the prediction and warning systems
    -create online zoom classes
    -awareness on disaster education

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  1. Natural disasters like the back-to-back earthquakes and cyclones in Vanuatu can significantly disrupt learning in several ways:
    a. School Closure: To ensure the safety of students and staff, authorities may order the closure of schools during disasters. These closures can be short-term, lasting several days, or long-term if there is extensive damage.

b. Displacement: A natural disaster can force families to evacuate their homes and relocate to emergency shelters in other areas. This displacement can result in students being unable to attend school for extended periods.

c. Loss of Educational Materials: Flooding and structural damage can lead to the loss of educational materials, textbooks, and resources, which are crucial for effective teaching and learning.

d. Emotional Impact: The trauma and stress experienced by students and teachers during and after disasters can have a profound emotional impact, affecting their ability to concentrate and engage in learning.

e. Physical damage: earthquakes and cyclones can cause severe damage to school buildings, making them unsafe for use. Rebuilding or repairing these structures takes time, further delaying the resumption of classes.

f. Interrupted educational calendar: Extended disruptions can lead to an interrupted educational calendar, affecting the continuity of learning and the ability to complete curriculum requirements.

As a teacher facing the challenge of minimizing disruptions in teaching and learning after a natural disaster, these are some of the things that can be done:

a. online and remote learning: in situations where physical attendance is impossible due to safety concerns or infrastructure damage, leverage online platforms and resources to facilitate continued education. Ensure that students have access to necessary technology and internet connectivity.

b. Revised Curriculum: Adjust the curriculum to focus on essential topics and skills, allowing fro a more condensed but comprehensive teaching approach that covers core subjects.

c. Flexible Schedules: Implement flexible schedules to accommodate students who may be dealing with post-disaster challenges, such as displacements, trauma , or family related issues.

d. Parents and Community Involvement: Engage parents and the community to support studentā€™s learning, as they play a crucial role in helping students cope with the aftermath of a disaster.

e. Continuous Assessment: use continuous assessment methods to gauge students progress and provide targeted support for those who may need it.

This kinds of Natural Disaster causing school closure all throughout the country. Schools are used as community service shelterā€™s preventing them from operating as classrooms. To minimize these disruptions the teachers or facilitator can opt for online teaching and learning for examples zoom classes for all students. Teachers can also create online based websites or pages where he or she can post online notes and lesson for students and parents to see and workout activities for that period of school closure.

1.A disaster can have a significant impact on the education system, disrupting learning in various ways. Whether it is a natural disaster like an earthquake or hurricane, a public health crisis such as a pandemic, the consequences on education can be far-reaching and long-lasting.
ā€¢ Infrastructure Damage and Destruction.
ā€¢ Displacement and Disruption of Students.
ā€¢ Interruption of Teaching and Learning Processes.
ā€¢ Emotional and Psychological Impact.

  1. Some ways to minimize disruptions are as follows:

ā€¢Utilize Technology Appropriately- integrating technology into the classroom can enhance learning experiences and reduce disruptions if used appropriately.

ā€¢Emergency Preparedness and Communication-educate students about disaster preparedness, safety procedures, and evacuation plans.

ā€¢Professional Development- continuously develops your own skills in using technology for teaching and disaster response.

Natural disasters disrupt learning by causing school closure, displacing students, damaging educational resources and infrastructure, creating psychological trauma, water and power disruption and road closure.

To minimize disruptions in learning as a teacher during and after a disaster, consider the following strategies:

  1. Emergency Preparedness: Develop and follow an emergency preparedness plan to ensure the safety of students and staff during a disaster.
  2. Remote Learning Plans: Create contingency plans for remote learning, with access to online resources and communication platforms, in case of school closures.
  3. Backup Educational Materials: Maintain backup copies of essential educational materials and lesson plans, both digitally and in print.
  4. Psychosocial Support: Provide emotional support to students, as the trauma of a disaster can be overwhelming. Encourage open communication and offer resources for counseling and support.
  5. Flexible Assessments: Be flexible with assessments and deadlines, accommodating the unique challenges students face during and after a disaster.
  6. Individualized Support: Identify and provide extra support to students who may have fallen behind or are struggling due to the disasterā€™s impact.
  7. Curriculum Adaptation: Be prepared to adapt the curriculum and prioritize essential topics if instructional time is severely disrupted.

To minimize disruptions in learning due to cyclones, hurricanes, or any other unforeseen events, teachers can adopt proactive strategies and design educational plans that prioritize continuity and flexibility. By implementing these strategies and staying prepared, educators can ensure that learning can continue with minimal interruptions, promoting resilience and adaptability among students in challenging circumstances. Here are some approaches that can be used to let childrenā€™s learning to continue:

  1. Emergency Preparedness and Communication

  2. Digital Learning Platforms and Resources

  3. Blended Learning Approach

  4. Preparedness Assignments and Learning Packets

  5. Virtual Classrooms and Webinars

  6. Recorded Video Lessons and Tutorials

  7. Collaborative Learning via Online Forums

  8. Regular Communication and Updates

  9. Flexible Assessment Methods

  10. Makeup Classes and Catch-Up Sessions

  11. Encourage Self-Directed Learning : Parental Involvement and Support

  12. Collaboration and Professional Development

When disaster hits, learning can be distracted. For example, a cyclone can blow off the roof of classrooms resulting in schools being closed for sometime. When schools are closed, then learning cannot take place hence disturbing the studentsā€™ learning. When schools are closed, the syllabus cannot be completed therefore, learners will not be able to achieve their expected learning outcomes.
As a teacher, I would design teaching and learning strategies that accommodate all kinds of situations. This means as well as having learning in a formal context, I would also prepare for situations where learning can also take place in an informal context especially through the distance and flexible learning. I should develop materials that can also be used in out of the classroom settings.

1.Disasters can disrupt learning in several ways. They can lead to physical damage to schools, making them unsafe or unusable. Disruptions in the delivery of education, including power outages or internet connectivity issues, can also impact learning. Moreover, many households destroyed and students lost their basic resources which hinders their studies. Furthermore, the emotional and psychological toll on students and teachers can hinder concentration and engagement in the learning process. Students and parents are disturbed emotionally which makes lack contribution towards students studies and this affects thier childrenā€™s future.

  1. To minimize disruptions in learning during a disaster, a teacher can:

a. Develop a contingency plan: Create a clear plan for remote learning or alternative locations in case of school closures.

b. Use digital resources: Incorporate online platforms and educational tools to enable remote learning when necessary.

c. Promote self-directed learning: Encourage students to take more responsibility for their learning, providing resources for independent study.

d. Consider flexible scheduling: Be adaptable with assignments and deadlines to accommodate students dealing with disaster-related challenges.

e. Provide emotional support: Be aware of studentsā€™ emotional well-being and offer resources or counseling services as needed.

f. Communicate effectively: Keep open lines of communication with students, parents, and colleagues to ensure everyone is informed and supported.

Adaptability and resilience in teaching methods are crucial during and after a disaster to minimize disruptions in the learning process.
g. To bring studentā€™s attenton into learning, couseling is also important for them to make their living better.

In Pacific always do get affected by disaster and cyclones so it is important to keep backup plan to keep the learning going on.

Through my experience in COVID - 19 pandemic lot of parents, students and teacher got affected badly so as teachers in our school we designed multiple plans to reach to students with learning materials.

First, plan we devise was online teaching and learning and sending materials through online Viber, email, messenger or any other app which is possible.

Have Zoom lesson and doing video recording and posting online in YouTube so that all students have access to it. if students are free anytime they can go through this video.

Transportation - where teachers go to studentā€™s house to deliver the lesson notes and activities. Also, A4 and A3 charts to support.

Afternoon class with students in different community areas so every week we go ti different area to teach face to face even we had 3 or 4 students.

Summarizing the curriculum so that the lesson can be fast, and we are in line with our term coverage.

Getting more support staff, itā€™s like requesting other class teachers to reach to all students if they are living very far and cannot reach. At times we requested other schoolteachers to help us, and it was effective and reachable.

Sending Recharge and used phone or table to students. to get in touch with teachers or school website to access learning resources.

Camping at school where students and parents whose house is not more, they can stay at school, and this enables teachers to reach every day and teach them.

i believe these ways and tips will help teachers to reach about 95 to 100% students in class with teaching and learning materials. as i had 100% reach to all students by week. 3.

Google Dive and other online drive were very useful to store all the soft copy of teaching and learning materials.

Hope these ideas will we be helpful!

  1. Disaster affects everyone. it is a natureā€™s call, and nothing get spared during a natural disaster. education sector in particular gets disrupted a lot as parents are emotionally and financially pressured to fulfill the studentsā€™ educational needs. students without basic needs such as clean food, shelter and good hygiene can lead to health problems.
    school closure and failure to continue teaching hinders studentsā€™ academic progress and personal growth.
  2. As a teacher, I would first assess the students background after the natural disaster and try to provide assistance in regards to school resources. in addition, will try to further analyse the teaching content and where possible conduct authentic learning for students better understanding given the limited time frame.