A UNICEF report reveals that over 242 million children had their education disrupted in 2024 due to extreme weather conditions. The findings indicate that low- and middle-income regions bear the brunt of these climatic hazards, with numerous schools destroyed. Urgent action is needed to strengthen educational resilience against climate change.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reported that in 2024, at least 242 million children across 85 countries experienced interruptions in their education due to extreme weather events such as heatwaves, cyclones, and floods. This means that one in seven children enrolled in school faced disruptions attributed to climatic hazards, highlighting a worrying trend in global education. Particularly affected are countries in low-income regions, especially those in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where hundreds of schools were reported destroyed.
The impact of climate change on education is increasingly evident, as extreme weather patterns lead to widespread disruptions in schooling. According to UNICEF, the most affected regions are primarily low and middle-income countries, which do not have adequate infrastructure to cope with such challenges. This underscores the urgency of addressing educational system vulnerabilities in the face of climate-related crises.
The data from UNICEF emphasizes the alarming reality that extreme weather significantly hinders children’s education, with millions affected worldwide. The findings reflect a critical need for improved resilience in educational systems, especially in vulnerable regions. As climate-related crises persist, a collective effort is required to ensure that education remains accessible and unaffected by such occurrences.
Original Source: www.pbs.org
