The impact of El Nino on sustainable management of school-based projects

A case of five selected schools in Harare North District, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to assess the impact of El Nino on sustainable management of school-based projects in five selected Schools in Harare North District, Zimbabwe. It demonstrates the significant impact of El Nino on sustainable management of school-based projects. Challenges hindering secure, stable and consistent management of service provision of the projects in the respective education institutions are exposed. School-based projects managed include curriculum implementation- related activities in the school as system.  Empirical research was essential in ensuring that young people in education realise positive and productive project outcomes while the school as a system benefits from successful curriculum implementation- related activities. This study is guided by the Theory of Project Management and the interpretivist paradigm that uses the descriptive survey research design. A qualitative methodology was adopted because of the nature of the research question. It used semi-structured questionnaires and interview guides, observation and checklists as data gathering instruments. The sample comprised five selected secondary education institutions in Zimbabwe (stratified systematic sampling), 20 staff members (purposive sampling}5 Heads (purposive sampling), 10 SDCs (purposively sampled) and 50 students randomly selected but representing different levels. Findings from this study are presented in three sections relating to three sub questions. Overall, they indicate lack of support at multiple levels of learning, The study concluded that, school management of curriculum projects, parental financial support to learners and students’ welfare have all been affected by drought conditions in Zimbabwe. Learning environments are no longer viable due to the impact of El Nino on the schools’ projects. The conditions which hinder effective project implementation and flow of resources include shortage of resources, lack of adequate water supplies, inflation and poor funding. As part of best practices, it was recommended that more funding and mitigatory measures be availed. On the problem of electricity and water shortages, there is need for more boreholes and solar -powered energy. Key policy makers in education need emergency measures on these stated challenges.