UNICEF reports that 250 million children missed school last year due to extreme weather, including heatwaves and floods, disrupting education primarily in low-income regions. In 2024 alone, more than 118 million children faced interruptions in their schooling, with heatwaves being predominant among climate hazards. The report highlights the urgent necessity for improved infrastructure to protect education systems from climate impacts.
According to a recent report by UNICEF, nearly 250 million children experienced interruptions to their education last year due to extreme weather events such as heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding. This situation affected at least 242 million children across 85 countries, equating to roughly one in seven school-age children globally. The most severe impacts were documented in low-income regions, particularly in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where many schools were destroyed by these climate-related incidents.
In southern Europe, significant weather problems were also evident, with torrential rains and floods in Italy disrupting schooling for over 900,000 students and causing class cancellations in Spain. While Asia and Africa faced challenges from cyclones and floods, it was the heatwaves that predominantly caused school closures, marking 2024 as the hottest year on record.
UNICEF noted that more than 118 million children had their schooling affected in just April. During that month, extreme heat affected a wide area, reaching dangerous temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized that children suffer uniquely from such weather extremes, highlighting their physiological vulnerabilities that hinder their ability to learn and attend school.
Approximately 74% of the affected children reside in middle- and low-income countries, underscoring the severe impacts of climate extremes on these vulnerable populations. Incidents such as flooding in Pakistan ruined over 400 schools, and Afghanistan saw severe weather destroying numerous educational facilities. Prolonged drought conditions in southern Africa, exacerbated by El Niño, further threatened the education of millions.
Recent weather events continue to disrupt education, as evidenced by Cyclone Chido’s devastation of Mayotte and its impact on children’s educational access. Additionally, the cyclone destroyed more than 330 schools in Mozambique, where educational access remains a significant challenge. According to UNICEF, the global education systems are generally unprepared to mitigate the effects of extreme weather changes.
The increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events due to climate change have profound implications for children’s access to education. As evidenced by the latest UNICEF report, rising temperatures, cyclones, and flooding have far-reaching effects, particularly in regions already grappling with poverty and inadequate infrastructure. With the vulnerability of young children to climate phenomena, the educational disruptions trended notably in middle- and low-income countries. This demographic already faces numerous barriers to education, and environmental hazards exacerbate the crisis, leading to loss of learning opportunities and future prospects for these children. UNICEF’s report serves as a call to action to improve educational infrastructure and resilience in the face of extreme weather, underscoring a broader need to address climate change impacts on vulnerable populations worldwide.
In summary, UNICEF’s recent report reveals alarming statistics on the impact of extreme weather on children’s education, with millions of children worldwide facing interruptions in their schooling due to climate-related events. The findings highlight the urgent need for global efforts to strengthen educational systems and create climate-resilient infrastructure, particularly in low-income countries most affected by these hazards. As climate change continues to pose challenges, it is crucial to ensure that children can maintain access to education in a secure and supportive environment.
Original Source: www.nbcphiladelphia.com
