Flood Preparedness Factors Influencing Teachers’ Participation in Teaching and Learning in Public Primary Schools in Lower Nyakach Division, Kisumu County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the flood preparedness factors influencing teachers’ in teaching and learning in public primary schools in Lower Nyakach Division, Nyakach District, Kisumu County, Kenya. Four research objectives were formulated to guide the study. They were to establish the flood preparedness of teachers’ and how it affects teachers’ in teaching and learning; the second research objective aimed to determine how flood preparedness of students affect teachers’ in teaching and learning, the third objective aimed at determining how the damage to the schools infrastructure affects the teachers’ in teaching and learning and the last objective sought to examine what mitigation measures have been put in place to respond to floods in Lower Nyakach Division. The study used the descriptive survey design. The target population included 14 head teachers’ 49 teachers’ and 178 students. Data was collected using questionnaires were used to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data was analyzed thematically according to the objectives. The findings revealed that lack of flood preparedness mechanisms and unfavourable working conditions, have affected teachers’ participation in teaching and learning in Lower Nyakach Division, Nyakach District, and Kisumu County, Kenya. Therefore, in order to improve on teachers’ participation in teaching and learning the headteachers’ and teachers’ suggested a need for adequate hardship/risk allowances. They also should be adequately prepared for disaster prevention control and mitigation by being trained on how to curb the flood disaster. Students also gave their views on proper storage of text books, having protective clothing to avoid waterborne illnesses, building of dykes along the rivers and improving of the road network to schools. The recommendations based on research findings found that the school management need to engage qualified professionals to assess the structural safety of damaged school buildings and construction of buildings, which can withstand floods to be introduced. There is a need for adequate hardship/risk allowances for the teachers’ and disaster preparedness to be intergrated into the curriculum. Suggestions for further studies include; a need to carry out a study to establish influence of floods on academic performance in flood prone area of Lower Nyakach; a study on flood preparedness factors affecting students participation in public primary schools, and there is also a need to carry out a study on disaster risk reduction in public primary schools in Lower Nyakach.