This year’s Global Action Week for Education (GAWE) was commemorated in Zimbabwe on the 30th of May 2025 under the powerful theme: “Education Saves Lives – Protect Education in Emergencies.” Hosted at Rutsate Primary School in Mutasa District, the commemorations brought together stakeholders from government, civil society, schools, and local communities to reflect on the urgent need to protect learning in the face of climate emergencies.
The event was co-organised by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE) and Education Coalition of Zimbabwe (ECOZI). The awareness campaign aimed to amplify the reality that climate change through floods, droughts, and cyclones is not just an environmental threat but a direct challenge to the right to education. It was held in Manicaland Province, a region historically affected by natural disasters like Cyclone Idai and Cyclone Freddy, which have destroyed schools, displaced learners, and tragically claimed lives.
In her speech, the Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Mrs Angeline Gata passionately called for climate-smart infrastructure, investment in e-learning, and training teachers to provide psychological support to learners affected by trauma. She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to finalizing education-in-emergencies policies and working with UNESCO to build resilience into the education system. Her call to action urged local councils, communities, and development partners to collaborate in building schools that are safe, inclusive, and equipped to face emergencies.
ECOZI’s Executive Board Member delivered a heartfelt solidarity message, thanking members and partners for their support and emphasizing that real change is driven by strong collaboration. The Junior Child President, Luke Mavada, also lit up the stage, calling on fellow learners to recognize their power through education to build a better Zimbabwe.
The event was vibrant and youth-driven, with learners performing powerful music and poetry that echoed the theme and called for urgent policy integration. Schools and hubs in Mutasa District showcased projects supporting teenage mothers and vulnerable children a powerful display of how communities are stepping in to protect learning.
In the lead-up to the main event, ECOZI ran a dynamic social media campaign, including a Twitterthon, TV dialogues on HSTV and SAYWHAT, and carousel posts inspired by GCE global materials. These platforms elevated local stories and voices to national attention, reinforcing that education must be prioritized especially in emergencies.
GAWE 2025 was more than a commemoration it was a bold, unified message that in the face of climate shocks, education is a lifeline. And together, we must protect it.
