The Impact of Climate and Environmental Change on Education in Rwanda: A Survey of School Leaders

Following research into climate change and education in Kenya, Education Development Trust (EDT) are undertaking research to better understand the relationship between climate and environmental change and education in Rwanda. This working paper outlines emerging findings from a survey with school leaders across Rwanda, with a total of 273 responses from school leaders across all 30 districts in Rwanda. Key findings include: (1) 75% of school leaders reported their schools and/or local communities had been negatively impacted by climate change at least once in recent years, with the most frequent weather events including drought, strong winds and landslides; (2) 52% of school leaders reported school buildings have experienced damage as a result of extreme weather events, with 74% of those leaders reporting having to divert funds from teaching and learning towards repairs; (3) 21% of school leaders reported climate events to have had a significant impact on students' attendance, with a further 58% reporting a small negative impact; and (4) 22% of school leaders reported a significant negative impact on students' concentration, with a further 53% reporting a small negative impact.