UNICEF reported that nearly 250 million children missed school last year due to extreme weather. The effects were particularly severe in low-income countries, with substantial disruptions in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Heatwaves were identified as the primary climate hazard, with many children affected worldwide. The report emphasizes the vulnerability of children’s education in light of growing climate challenges.
According to UNICEF, nearly 250 million children missed school last year due to extreme weather events, equating to approximately one in seven school-going children globally being affected at some point in 2024. The report highlights interruptions in schooling of at least 242 million children across 85 countries, attributed to climate-related hazards such as flooding, heatwaves, and cyclones.
The impact of climate change has been profound, with entire schools being destroyed, particularly in low-income regions of Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, southern Europe experienced significant disruptions to education, including more than 900,000 children in Italy and substantial class interruptions in Spain due to catastrophic floods.
Heatwaves emerged as the most prevalent climate hazard, significantly impacting children’s education, especially in April when over 118 million children were affected by extreme heat in the Middle East and Asia. UNICEF reported record high temperatures during this period, surpassing 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s Executive Director, emphasized that children are particularly vulnerable to extreme weather impacts, stating that, “Children’s bodies are uniquely vulnerable. They heat up faster, they sweat less efficiently, and cool down more slowly than adults.” Numerous low-income countries continue to face severe climatic challenges affecting access to education.
Specific examples include flooding in Pakistan that destroyed over 400 schools and heatwaves in Afghanistan that were followed by floods, impacting over 110 schools. Drought conditions in southern Africa, worsened by the El Niño phenomenon, also pose significant threats to millions of children’s education.
Moreover, Cyclone Chido devastated the French territory of Mayotte, and several hundred schools were destroyed in Mozambique, disrupting education in the already struggling regions. UNICEF asserts that educational institutions worldwide are largely unprepared for the repercussions of extreme weather events.
The alarming issue of children missing school due to extreme weather events has been highlighted by UNICEF, with the organization noting a dramatic increase in school interruptions globally due to climate hazards. These disruptions disproportionately affect children in lower and middle-income countries. The report reveals that the repercussions of climate change are far-reaching, affecting not only the immediate education landscape but also the long-term social and economic futures of millions of children worldwide.
In summary, UNICEF’s report underscores the critical impact of extreme weather on children’s education, with 250 million children affected last year. The prevalence of climate hazards, particularly in vulnerable regions, demonstrates an urgent need for educational systems to be better equipped to handle such crises. As climate change intensifies, proactive measures will be essential to protect children’s access to education and to mitigate future disruptions related to extreme weather events.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
