The Impact of climate change on learners from child-headed families’ livelihoods at Chimowa Secondary School, Chikomba district
- Author
- Makamure, Annamaria.
- Title
- The Impact of climate change on learners from child-headed families’ livelihoods at Chimowa Secondary School, Chikomba district
- Abstract
- This study sought to explore the impact of climate change on learners from child-headed families’ livelihoods. Data generation, analysis and discussion were guided by the interpretivist paradigm and qualitative approach. Data was generated through document analysis and in-depth interviews. Purposive sampling was used to select 15 learners from child-headed families attending school at Chimowa Secondary School. For data triangulation 5 class teachers were purposively included in the study. Data was analysed according to themes derived from the sub-research questions. The findings reveal that the participants understood climate change as the long-term alteration of global weather patterns due to human activities, such as carbon emissions, and natural factors. It was also noted that Climate change has worsened food insecurity for learners from child-headed families’ livelihoods by increasing the frequency of droughts and extreme weather events, which interrupt agricultural production. The participants acknowledged that learners from child-headed families experienced climate change-related stressors, which were affecting them emotionally and psychologically. The participants advanced that learners from child-headed families have adapted to climate change challenges by engaging in sustainable agricultural practices, seeking community support, and participating in educational programmes focused on resilience and climate awareness. From the participant's perspective, it can be concluded that climate change has significantly disrupted the livelihoods of learners from child-headed families in the selected village by intensifying food insecurity, increasing water scarcity, and amplifying economic hardships. This collectively hinders learners from child-headed families’ educational opportunities and overall well-being. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended the need to strengthen resilience among learners from child-headed families by promoting food security programmes, and educational opportunities on climate adaptation.
- Date
- May 2025
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- Climate Change
- Child-headed Families
- Supervisor
- Dr. Chikuvadze, P.
- Media
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Makamure, Annamaria.pdf