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Education

Climate-Proofing South Africa's Education System a National Priority

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The recent devastating floods in Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal have once again highlighted the urgent need for climate-proofing South Africa's education system. President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged the catastrophic disaster caused by climate change, and international climate change expert bodies have sounded the alarm on the impacts of climate change on South Africa. The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has projected with high confidence that extreme rainfall and flooding will become more frequent and intense in southern Africa.

Key Takeaways:

  • 168 schools were damaged in Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga, disrupting the education of thousands of learners.
  • The disaster coincided with mid-year examinations, exacerbating learning losses.
  • In 2022, floods in KwaZulu-Natal damaged 356 schools, with repair costs estimated at over R235-million.
  • The Climate Change Act, assented to by President Ramaphosa in July 2024, requires the education sector to develop a "sector adaptation strategy and plan".
  • The plan should include measures such as early-warning systems, school closures protocols, and emergency response training.
  • South Africa is guided by international human rights law, which stresses the importance of climate-resilient school infrastructure and educational continuity during and after extreme weather events.

Statistics:

  • 168 schools damaged in Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga.
  • 356 schools damaged in KwaZulu-Natal in 2022.
  • R235-million estimated repair costs for damaged schools in 2022.
  • 17 March 2025: the President proclaimed the commencement of the operation of a portion of the Climate Change Act, excluding key provisions.

Sources:

  • United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
  • South African Government's press release dating back to March 17, 2025 on the operation of provisions of the Climate Change Act.
  • General Comment No. 26 (GC26) from the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child
  • Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) Norms and Standards for School Infrastructure.

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