Lessons from Bangladesh & the Philippines: Preparing, Adapting, and Protecting Education in Flood-Prone Regions

Floods are among the most disruptive natural disasters affecting human life, not only because of physical destruction, but also due to their profound impact on education, well-being, and the future of children.

In many vulnerable areas, floodwaters can destroy schools, wash away books, and make the journey to class dangerous or completely inaccessible.

Yet the world has witnessed creative, humane, and highly effective models, real solutions that have safeguarded the education of hundreds of thousands of children in some of the hardest-hit regions. Two of the most striking examples come from Bangladesh and the Philippines.

1. THE FLOATING SCHOOL MODEL, BANGLADESH

When students cannot reach school, the school reaches the students.

In Bangladesh, a country with dense river systems and regular seasonal floods, many villages are cut off for weeks or even months at a time. More than two decades ago, architect and social innovator Mohammed Rezwan posed a remarkable question:

“If there is no land left to build schools, why not use the rivers?”

He founded Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha and created the floating schools model.

According to reports from UNFCCC and Shidhulai:

The system now operates over 100 solar-powered school boats, libraries, and floating clinics.

Each “school-boat” functions as both a transport system and a mobile classroom, reaching children in flooded villages.

Tens of thousands of students from low-income families have been able to continue learning without interruption, even during severe flooding.

With waterproof book storage, small classroom setups, and solar-powered computers, these floating schools have transformed waterways, once symbols of danger, into pathways of hope.

2. TEMPORARY LEARNING SPACES, THE PHILIPPINES

Restoring education even when everything else is destroyed.

When Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) struck the Philippines in 2013, more than 14 million people were affected and thousands of schools were destroyed or severely damaged.

In response, international organizations such as UNICEF and World Vision established Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS), lightweight, quickly assembled classrooms with safe shelter.

According to a one-year post-disaster assessment by GlobalGiving and UNICEF:

More than 2,132 temporary classrooms were built in the first year alone.

TLS provided safe environments for children to continue learning, playing, and receiving psychosocial support.

These temporary structures, made of tarp, bamboo, or lightweight panels, became emotional anchors for communities, helping children regain a sense of routine, stability, and hope.

3. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FLOOD-PRONE COUNTRIES

Based on these successful models, OFTF proposes several action directions that are applicable globally, regardless of country:

A. Flexible solutions during flood seasons

- Deploy school boats, floating libraries, and floating health units

- Prepare mobile learning kits: waterproof books, mini-boards, dry bags

- Use solar power to ensure uninterrupted learning even when the grid fails

B. Establish temporary learning centers

- Build safe learning tents or lightweight modular classrooms

- Set up child-friendly community spaces to stabilize emotional well-being

C. Harness community strength

- Train local educators, including parents and community leaders

- Strengthen community-based emergency education responses

D. FUNDRAISING & SOCIAL MOBILIZATION

To implement these models, resource mobilization is essential. Governments and social organizations must coordinate to ensure unified preparedness across flood-prone areas:

- Conduct risk assessments in flood-prone regions to evaluate the suitability of floating schools, school boats, or temporary classrooms

- Mobilize funding for boats, solar equipment, waterproof materials, and temporary classroom structures

- Invest in solar energy and flood-resilient learning supplies

- Support training for local teachers and community responders

- Establish emergency education protection funds for disaster-affected children

These are not simply charitable acts, they are life-saving measures that protect learning and safeguard the future of entire communities.

From the floating schools of Bangladesh to the temporary learning spaces in the Philippines, the world has demonstrated that:

Education can float.

Knowledge can endure.

And everything can be saved - if we prepare and act TOGETHER, starting now.

OFTF is committed to supporting such initiatives, ensuring that no matter how high the waters rise, the future of children remains safe and intact.

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