[COLUMNIST] Monsoon Knowledge Zenith – Keeping education afloat during floods

But amidst the chaos, there lies opportunity.

Enter Monsoon Knowledge Zenith — a transformative initiative designed to turn flood zones into learning hubs, ensuring education endures, even when nature strikes its hardest.

When Floods Wash Away Education: Learning from the Past

Floods leave a mark that goes beyond physical devastation. As highlighted by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (2002), floods in Cambodia disrupted educational progress, particularly in flood-prone provinces with poorly designed schools.

Malaysia faced a parallel crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic, when over five million students were left stranded from education due to abrupt school closures.

This recurring narrative reveals an urgent need for preparedness and resilience in our educational framework.

Monsoon Knowledge Zenith embodies this spirit by integrating disaster education, adaptive curriculums, and innovative learning strategies.

Preparedness: Laying the Foundation for Resilient Education

The Malaysian government has proactively mobilized agencies, ensuring resources, personnel, and infrastructure are ready to mitigate flood impacts.

Schools serve dual purposes as relief centres, yet the absence of structured learning activities in these centres often leaves children idle, engrossed in gadgets.

Monsoon Knowledge Zenith advocates for preparedness that blends infrastructure with an educational strategy.

This includes:

• Policies that Prioritize Disaster Education: Monsoon Knowledge Zenith calls for modules on disaster resilience to be integrated into Civic Studies and Science, emphasizing adaptability and resourcefulness.

• A Modular Curriculum: Designed for flexibility, Monsoon Knowledge Zenith focuses on core subjects (Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mathematics) while integrating practical life lessons.

– Equipping Teachers and Relief Centres

Educators are central to the Monsoon Knowledge Zenith framework. Training teachers to manage multigrade classrooms ensures inclusivity, especially in relief centres where age diversity is inevitable.

Relief centres must also stock educational kits, from textbooks to offline digital tools, enabling uninterrupted learning regardless of connectivity challenges.

Innovation Amidst Adversity: Action During Floods

Astro Tutor TV UPSR and Astro Tutor TV SPM programs air educational content aligned with the national curriculum, offering students a vital resource.

For those with access to devices, platforms like Microsoft Teams and preloaded apps foster interactive learning.

Meanwhile, offline educational libraries ensure inclusivity for students in remote areas.

– Community-Led Initiatives

Parents and volunteers can transform flood relief centres into dynamic learning zones. Activities like storytelling, art, and problem-solving games create a stimulating environment.

Open pedagogy, where learners contribute to content, fosters creativity and resilience, aligning with Monsoon Knowledge Zenith’s ethos of co-creation.

– Practical Skills for Real-World Challenges

Flood relief centres present unique opportunities to teach survival skills. From water purification to energy conservation, these lessons empower students to navigate real-world challenges.

Such experiences not only build resourcefulness but also instil confidence, helping students see floods as opportunities for growth rather than mere calamities.

Recovery under the Monsoon Knowledge Zenith framework involves embedding disaster education into national policies.

This ensures consistent funding, robust infrastructure, and continuous evaluation of disaster education programs.

– Flexible Learning Calendars

Flood-prone regions need adaptable academic schedules. Staggered terms and make-up sessions can ensure learning continuity without overwhelming students.

– Community-Driven Solutions

Collaborative recovery strategies — engaging governments, NGOs, and local communities—expedite policy implementation, foster grassroots engagement, and ensure long-term resilience.

Monsoon Knowledge Zenith: A Vision for the Future

The Monsoon Knowledge Zenith represents more than a response to floods; it is a vision of education that adapts, endures, and thrives.

By integrating preparedness, action, and recovery, Monsoon Knowledge Zenith redefines disaster education, ensuring that no child is left behind — even in the fiercest storms.

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Dr Abdul Mutalib Embong and Arif Afify Sulaiman are members of RIG 4, Centre of Fundamental and Continuing Education (PPAL), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT).