Unblocking Climatic Siege on Rural Education

Mazuba Mwiinga

Three years ago, we met 16-year-old Mary from a rural village in Zambia's Eastern Province. Her story, though touched by the passage of time, still speaks volumes about the impact of rural hunger and poverty in this region. Pregnant at 13, Mary had to stay home for two years before returning to school in Grade 6. Her experience is just one among many in the province.

Zambia's population currently stands at 19.6 million, according to the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats). Of these, 2.5 million reside in Eastern Province, with more than half living in rural, arable areas where they depend on farming for their livelihood.

Eastern Province's poverty rate is alarmingly high at 84.3%, significantly above the national average of 57.5%. The rural communities here are among the most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. Despite their reliance on agriculture, soil nutrient levels have diminished, and longer dry seasons have stunted crop growth.

This dire situation makes it difficult for many families to send their children to school. Over the years, stories of girls dropping out due to pregnancies, like Mary, have become common. Educationists cite "deprivation in education" as a significant factor.

The ZamStats's 2023 Report on Child Poverty highlights that 6.6 million Zambian children (70.6%) are multidimensionally poor, suffering from deprivations in two or more dimensions of wellbeing simultaneously. Of these, 2.7 million children (28.7%) experience deprivations in four or more dimensions. This is out of a total population of 9.4 million children nationwide.

The report contrasts that almost two-thirds of rural children suffer from deprivations in three or more dimensions of wellbeing, compared to their urban counterparts. It also notes that 65% of Zambian children experience monetary poverty, living in households that cannot meet basic caloric and non-food needs.

The Province ranks second in both child monetary poverty (80.9% to 83.9%) and children suffering from multiple deprivations (81.2% to 84.1%).

Lack of education is a severe consequence of this situation. “Children from uneducated or female-headed households are more likely to face multiple deprivations, especially in large rural households.” Education experts suggest promoting universal, accessible, and quality education that embraces equality regardless of social or economic status as a solution to school dropouts.

However, one wonders how learners like Mary, who rely on their parents or guardians for educational support, can access this "quality education" when their agricultural livelihood is so precarious.

The country is currently experiencing the worst drought in approximately 40 years, with dry conditions decimating crops, deteriorating pasture for livestock, and threatening water availability. An estimated 5.8 million people are projected to suffer acute food insecurity between October 2024 and March 2025, a more than 200% increase from the previous year, according to an IPC Analysis.

?In this dire situation, the only hope for many learners in the province has been a free meal every school day from Mary’s Meals Zambia’s School Feeding Programme. This incentive has significantly boosted their eagerness to attend school and strive for a better future.

When the programme began in 2014, it served 18,000 learners in one district of Chipata across 25 schools. Ten years later, it supports over 500,000 learners in more than 1,090 schools across 14 districts.

Mary herself says, "The Mary’s Meals porridge allows me to focus on my studies without worrying about food... because I usually feel sleepy or opt to stay home if I am hungry."

The devastating effects of the drought have elevated commodity prices due to currency depreciation, increased agricultural input costs, and reduced agricultural production, further exacerbating food insecurity in households.

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR)’s monthly cost of living for a family of five, Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) for November 2024 in Lusaka, stood at K10,393.16.

With child poverty rates surpassing those of urban counterparts, one might ask how a family in a rural place like Mary’s village could possibly sustain their needs. Rural households, heavily reliant on agriculture, lack the income-generating opportunities available to their urban counterparts.

This situation presents a significant challenge for the successful implementation of the feeding programme to reach every child in need. It means increasing food rations for schools to accommodate new entrants and adjusting budget allocations to meet both the learners' needs and the demands of rising stock prices. This adjustment can only be accelerated with collective concern and support.

As a Zambian adage goes: "My neighbour’s child is my child."