Disaster Risk Reduction in School Curricula: Case Studies ... - Unicef

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Section 10.
Case 15:
The Case Studies
Malawi
the following topics appear: water conservation (grades 3, 4);
misuse and conservation of the physical environment (grade 4);
environmental protection (grade 6); air conservation and natural
resource conservation (grade 7); and environmental conservation
and management (grade 8). A topic on ‘natural disasters in
Southern Africa’ appears at grade 7, and causes and effects
of desertification are discussed within the topic of environmental
conservation and management (Malawi Institute of Education,
2005a, b, c, d, 2007b)
In secondary Geography, the following topics are repeatedly
addressed throughout the four grades: ‘Earth as a planet/
structure of the earth’, ‘the environment’, ‘natural resources’,
‘natural disasters’ and ‘population dynamics’ (Malawi Institute
of Education, 1998c). With regard to the topic on natural
disaster, the students are expected to: ‘explain the meaning
of the terms “natural disaster”, identify some natural disasters
in Malawi, assess the effect of some natural disasters, and
suggest precautionary measures against natural disasters’
(grade 1),; to ‘locate areas which are frequently affected by
natural disasters, explain causes of some natural disasters
n Malawi, suggest options available to people living in areas
affected by natural disasters’ (grade 2) (Malawi Institute of
Education, 1998c, 19, 34-35). The topics of plate tectonic
(including causes and effects of volcanoes and earthquakes)
(grade 3) and the causes and effects of climate change (grade 4)
are also included (Malawi Institute of Education, 2001c).
In the secondary Agriculture syllabi, ‘agriculture and the
environment’ is one of the key strands appearing throughout
four grades. Key topics are: conservation of natural resources
and issues of population growth and food security (grade 1),
influence of soil erosion on silting and flooding, relationship
between rapid population growth and drought, food security
(grade 3); soil degradation (grade 4) (Malawi Institute of Education,
1998a, 2001a).
Secondary Biology syllabi treat topics on human diseases and
the effects of environmental stresses, (e.g. flood and drought)
(Malawi Institute of Education, 1998b, 2001b).
Pedagogy
There is a strong emphasis on participatory methods and
experiential learning techniques in Life Skills Education.
Various modes of participatory pedagogical approaches are
also suggested in other closely related subject areas as well.
Suggested pedagogical approaches include brainstorming,
debate, case study analysis, discussion, drawing, personal
narrative, poems and song, among others.
Malawi introduced the Child Friendly School model in 2006
in order to move forward the government’s commitment to
providing an enabling learning environment for primary education.
The five key characteristics of the Malawi Child Friendly School
framework are: a rights-based and inclusive school; an effective
school; a safe, protective and healthy school; a gender-responsiveness
that promotes equity and quality; school building
school/community linkages and partnerships (Ministry of Education,
Science and Technology & UNICEF, 2008). Ongoing
Child Friendly School initiatives will be strong assets in Malawi
in enhancing climate change and DRR learning contents
in school curricula.
Disaster Risk Reduction in School Curricula: Case Studies from Thirty Countries