Reconstruction Efforts

Educational reconstruction efforts are underway in the tsunami-affected regions where thousands of schools are thought to have been destroyed. After health and shelter, education is of high priority as a result of any major disaster. Re-building schools is a step towards regaining normalcy, stability, and functionality in communities coping with tragedy. In analyzing other disaster relief efforts, commentators are pointing to post-hurricane Mitch (1998) and suggesting that recovery was quickened because there was a focus on rebuilding schools.

The rebuilding of schools is key to community reconstruction, as schools can function as a place for the entire community to learn, not just children. The teaching of methods of attaining clean water is just one example of the crucial community education that can easily take place in a school.

In re-building the education systems in tsunami-affected countries, there are several parts to be considered: the physical school itself, the learning materials, teachers, and potential technologies. Below are a list of resources pertaining to the educational relief efforts currently underway.

http://web.idrc.ca/es/ev-71496-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html
Pan Asian Networking
Providing access to learning materials and technologies is especially vital during a situation like the one that is being faced by many of the survivors in Aceh. PAN's immediate support will come primarily in the form of reconstruction by replacing lost learning materials, establishing Internet access points, replacing ICT equipment, and renovating some of the University staff's houses.

http://www.aeufederal.org.au/International/aeuresponse.html
Australian Education Union
AEU Federal Conference calls on all staff in preschools, schools, TAFE Institutes and other workplaces to donate a half-day's pay to help rebuild education infrastructure in tsunami-ravaged countries.

http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/ev.php-URL_ID=37921&URL_DO
UNESCO's Tsunami Response in Education
UNESCO focuses on four priority areas:

1. Advocacy and technical support for education on disaster prevention and for sustainable development;
2. Policy advice on inclusive education to meet the needs of schoolchildren physically affected by the tsunami;
3. Psycho-social and pedagogical training for teachers and educational professionals; and
4. Community-based educational rehabilitation.

http://www.plan-uk.org/action/emergencies/tsunamidisaster/situationinindonesia/education/
Plan
'Education, education, education' according to Faisal, a young volunteer at the Masjid Al-Faizin Camp, is the key for the children of Aceh to make both the present more bearable and to be prepared for the future.

http://www.ineesite.org/tsunami/default.asp
Interagency Network for Education in Emergencies
This page has been created to outline the educational response that governments and organisations are undertaking in response to the Tsunami disaster and its affect on the education systems in parts of Asia.

http://www.ei-ie.org/tsunami/en/news.htm
Education International
EI member organisations in Sri Lanka will reconstruct 12 of the 180 schools which were damaged or destroyed by the tsunami. The rehabilitation program, the cost of which is estimated at 5.7 million euros, will be sponsored by EI and Oxfam Netherlands (Novib).

http://www.interaction.org/library/detail.php?id=3755
InterAction
Rebuilding Lives by Rebuilding Education Systems Lessons learned by AED in the Aftermath of Hurricane Mitch

http://www.aspbae.org/news.html
Asian Pacific Bureau of Adult Education
Appeal for Tsunami Relief

http://www.claarfoundation.org/Tsunami%20Education.htm
Claar Foundation
In the face of this sort of overwhelming trauma, what is most important (after life sustaining support) is to return some semblance of normalcy to the lives of the children. They need routine predictability and a refuge from the unending scene of despair and disaster. School offers that refuge and routine, as well as hope for a better future. We believe it is essential that we get them back in school as quickly as possible.

http://www.dailynews.lk/2005/02/01/new01.html
Daily News


http://www.suntimes.com/output/otherviews/cst-edt-ref26b.html
Reconstruction of tsunami-damaged schools begin
Where reconstruction efforts focused on rebuilding and restructuring local schools, overall recovery was quicker and more effective. Governments, charitable groups and international agencies in the tsunami-hit nations should also focus on the schools.

For further resources, type the word "reconstruction" into the search tool below.