Government delays school year by one month after devastating floods in southern provinces

The government announced Wednesday that the start of the school year will be delayed by one month after severe flooding across the southern provinces destroyed classrooms, cut access to schools and displaced thousands of families.

• Classrooms destroyed: 281
• Schools inaccessible: 218
• Schools used as shelters: 80
• Students affected: more than 427,000
• Teachers affected: 9,204
• People affected since October: more than 812,000
• Deaths: 137; Injured: over 148; Missing: 6
• Health facilities damaged: 229

Authorities said the delay is intended to give education and emergency teams time to assess damage, repair infrastructure and move displaced families out of school buildings being used as temporary shelters. The Ministry of Education, working with provincial governors and humanitarian partners, will publish a revised academic calendar within two weeks, officials said.

Floodwaters that began in October have swept through low-lying districts, inundating communities and washing away roads, bridges and agricultural land. Government damage assessments show 281 classrooms destroyed and 218 schools rendered inaccessible by floodwaters or blocked roads, forcing the closure of dozens of education centers in hard-hit districts.

At least 80 schools have been converted into temporary shelters for displaced families, officials said, complicating recovery efforts and limiting safe learning spaces for children. More than 427,000 students and 9,204 teachers were directly affected, according to the government’s preliminary tally.

The floods have also battered the health system: 229 health facilities were damaged, restricting access to medical care as the number of injured rises. Since October, authorities say more than 812,000 people have been affected; 137 people have died, at least 148 have been injured and six remain missing.

Humanitarian groups have begun delivering emergency food, water and shelter materials to affected districts, but access remains a major challenge where roads have been washed out. Officials said priority actions in the coming days include clearing access to schools, repairing damaged classrooms, and relocating families currently sheltering in education facilities so repairs can begin.

Education officials emphasized that the delay aims to protect students and staff and to prevent further disruption once schools reopen. “The extra month will allow us to restore learning spaces and ensure safe conditions,” a ministry statement said. No new national examinations dates have been announced.

Residents and local leaders called for accelerated repairs and clearer timelines to minimize long-term disruption to children’s education and to support communities dependent on seasonal crops lost to the floods.

By News-room

Axadle Times international–Monitoring.