UNICEF reports that nearly 242 million children missed school due to extreme weather, affecting one in seven among school-age children. Disruptions were prominent in low-income countries and regions experiencing heatwaves, flooding, and cyclones. The report urges immediate attention to fortify educational systems against climate impacts.
According to a recent UNICEF report, approximately 242 million children in 85 countries experienced interruptions to their education in the past year due to extreme weather conditions such as heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding. This accounts for about one in seven children globally, highlighting the severe impact of climate-related hazards on schooling. The report underscored that low-income countries in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa were particularly affected by these disruptions.
In addition to the challenges faced in developing nations, regions in southern Europe also reported significant disruptions. For instance, torrential rains and flooding in Italy impacted over 900,000 children’s education, while severe flooding in Spain halted classes for thousands. Despite the varied climatic issues across regions, heatwaves emerged as the primary cause of school closures last year, coinciding with the earth’s hottest recorded year.
In April alone, more than 118 million children found their schooling interrupted due to extreme heat affecting vast areas from the Middle East to Southeast Asia, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell remarked on children’s unique vulnerabilities to such weather-related crises, emphasizing the difficulty they face in concentrating under oppressive heat and navigating flooded paths to school.
The report revealed that around 74% of the affected children resided in middle- and low-income countries, where climatic extremes pose significant threats to education. For instance, flooding destroyed over 400 schools in Pakistan, and Afghanistan experienced a combination of heatwaves and flooding that led to the destruction of more than 110 schools. Furthermore, prolonged drought conditions in southern Africa, worsened by the El Niño phenomenon, threatened the futures of millions of children.
The crises in education systems from extreme weather show little sign of resolution. The territory of Mayotte was significantly affected by Cyclone Chido in December, subsequently facing another severe weather event in January, resulting in prolonged school closures. Moreover, Cyclone Chido obliterated over 330 schools in Mozambique, a country where access to education is already limited. UNICEF cautioned that the world’s educational systems remain ill-prepared to combat the effects of such extreme weather events.
UNICEF’s report sheds light on the urgent crisis in education caused by climate change, marking the severe disruptions that extreme weather incidents cause in the lives of children globally. These interruptions not only affect educational continuity but also highlight the vulnerabilities of children in various economic contexts, notably those in lower-income regions that often lack adequate infrastructure to withstand environmental challenges. The report emphasizes the need for robust systems in place to safeguard education against the growing threats posed by climate change.
The evidence presented by UNICEF illustrates a troubling scenario for educational systems worldwide as extreme weather continues to impede children’s schooling. With significant disruptions documented in various regions, particularly in middle- and low-income countries, the report underscores the urgent need for action to fortify educational infrastructures and protect the rights of children to uninterrupted learning opportunities. The intersection of climate change and education requires immediate and comprehensive response strategies.
Original Source: www.nbcphiladelphia.com
