UNICEF reports that 242 million children had their education disrupted by extreme weather in 2024. One in seven school-aged children globally faced interruptions due to climate events, primarily in low-income countries. Heatwaves and flooding were significant contributors, leading to the destruction of numerous schools. The report calls attention to the vulnerability of children under these circumstances and the inadequacy of current educational systems to cope with such challenges.
According to UNICEF, approximately 242 million children experienced school disruptions in 85 countries last year due to extreme weather events such as heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding. This statistic represents about one in seven school-aged children worldwide being affected by climate-related challenges. The report highlights significant damage, especially in low-income nations across Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where many schools were destroyed.
In southern Europe, including Italy and Spain, severe weather also caused substantial interruptions to education, with over 900,000 children impacted by floods at year-end. Heatwaves emerged as the leading climate hazard, exacerbated by record-high global temperatures, with millions of children unable to focus in excessively hot conditions.
UNICEF reported that over 118 million children’s education was hindered in April alone, particularly in the Middle East and Asia, where a prolonged heatwave resulted in temperatures exceeding 104 degrees Fahrenheit. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell stated that children are particularly susceptible to extreme weather due to physiological differences that make them heat intolerant.
Around 74% of the affected students were from middle- and low-income countries, suggesting that climate extremes disproportionately impact impoverished communities. Specific cases included the destruction of more than 400 schools in Pakistan due to flooding and severe weather disruptions in Afghanistan in May.
The situation is precarious, with prolonged droughts in southern Africa linked to the El Niño phenomenon threatening the educational prospects of millions. The French territory of Mayotte and Mozambique recently experienced devastating cyclones that left numerous children without access to schooling for extended periods.
UNICEF emphasized that the global education systems are inadequately prepared to address the detrimental effects of extreme weather. The organization calls for urgent action to support affected children and improve resilience against climate change.
The impact of climate change on education has emerged as a critical issue, with a growing number of reports indicating how extreme weather adversely affects children’s access to schooling. UNICEF’s recent report underscores the global scope of this challenge, drawing attention to the reality that millions of children around the world are being deprived of their right to education due to climate-related disasters. Understanding the intricacies of this crisis is essential for developing effective solutions and interventions that prioritize children’s educational rights amidst increasing climate vulnerabilities.
In conclusion, UNICEF’s report reveals that climate change is severely disrupting the education of millions of children worldwide, particularly in vulnerable regions. With extreme weather events on the rise, it is crucial for global leaders and policymakers to recognize the urgent need for solutions that protect children’s right to education and ensure that educational systems are equipped to handle the challenges posed by climate change.
Original Source: www.pbs.org
