Floating School amid Climate change

Context: Access to education crucial for children. But, various factors disrupt the accessibility to education like social and environmental factors, war ,etc.

• In the education sector floods leave a trail of destructions which may results in children’s education getting to a level where it cannot be salvaged. Schooling maybe cancelled, children may drop out of school and school absenteeism may occur if school buildings are used as evacuation centres. 
• This priority encourages member states to formulate policies and legal frameworks relating to Disaster Risk Reduction(DRR) education. In this a concept of floating schools has its on significance in curbing this deadlock.

Need

• Floods impact on education sector in different ways which include destruction of buildings and infrastructure, function of institutional and organisational structures as well as the wellbeing of individuals and communities 
• Flooding in Bangladesh leads to closure of schools, disrupting school education.

Floating school as a practise in Bangladesh

• Bangladesh, a flood prone country due to its geographical location and climate change induced distress witnesses tremendous floods.
• Along with this, the rise in sea-level, especially during the monsoon seasons, puts a halt to the daily life of the people.
• As students have been unable to go to school, an NGO Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha operates schools that can reach the students via boats.
• The floating school are solar-powered, and carry not just the classroom but internet-linked computers and other resources required in the class.
• There are about 23 boats that are operating as classrooms, along with other boats as libraries and health clinics.
• The NGO also teaches children river-based environmental curriculum that helps them understand the environment and conservation at an elementary level.
• Apart from educating the students, the NGO also provides training and educating the farmers about floating farming and flood-resistant cropping techniques.

Additional Facts

• India’s first floating elementary school named Loktak Elementary Floating School was inaugurated at Langolsabi Leikai of Champu Khangpok floating village on Loktak Lake in Manipur.
• The first of its kind school aims to provide education to drop outs students as well as illiterate adults. Currently it will provide education to around 40 children from Class I-III by engaging two local teachers.
• It was opened under the initiative undertaken by All Loktak Lake Fisherman’s Union with the support of an NGO People Resources Development Association (PRDA). 

Road Ahead

• Sustainable Development Goal 4 stresses the importance of education by promoting an inclusive and quality education for all and lifelong learning as sustainability goal.
• This is not a partisan debate; it is a human one. Clean air and water, and a livable climate are inalienable human rights. And solving this crisis is not a question of politics. It is our moral obligation.-Leonardo DiCaprio