UNICEF’s recent report reveals that extreme weather kept 242 million children out of school in 2024, representing one in seven children globally. The disruptions resulted from climate challenges such as flooding, heatwaves, and cyclones, with low-income countries affected the most. The report highlights the urgent need for resilient education systems to protect children’s schooling amidst climate change impacts.
A recent UNICEF report highlights that extreme weather conditions disrupted the education of 242 million children across 85 countries in 2024. This represents nearly one in seven children globally facing school interruptions due to climate hazards such as cyclones, floods, and heatwaves. Low-income nations, particularly in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, were severely impacted, though regions like southern Europe also experienced significant disruptions from torrential rains and floods.
In April alone, over 118 million children suffered interrupted schooling from heatwaves that affected the Middle East and Asia. The extreme heat, combined with flooding in various regions, made it increasingly difficult for children to attend school. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized the unique vulnerability of children in these situations, stating that they are less able to cope with heat and environmental crises.
The report detailed how climate disasters caused severe damage to educational infrastructure, with countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan experiencing school losses due to flooding. Droughts in southern Africa, worsened by El Niño, have similarly threatened the education of millions. The ongoing impact of these crises continues to challenge education access across various regions, including the impoverished French territory of Mayotte.
UNICEF further noted that the global education system is ill-prepared to handle the ramifications of such extreme weather events. The findings call for urgent attention to address the vulnerabilities faced by children in the face of climate change and to develop more resilient educational systems.
The impact of climate change on education is a growing concern, as extreme weather events increasingly disrupt schooling around the world. UNICEF’s recent report sheds light on the alarming statistic that millions of children were kept out of school due to weather-related crises last year. Understanding both the immediate effects of these disruptions and their long-term consequences on children’s education is essential for formulating effective responses and policies.
The UNICEF report underscores the urgent need for action to mitigate the effects of climate change on education, especially for vulnerable populations in low-income countries. With millions of children impacted by extreme weather events, there is an undeniable call for urgent measures to strengthen educational systems and protect the futures of the youngest generations. Addressing these challenges is critical for ensuring that children can access schooling despite the increasingly hostile climate conditions.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
