UNICEF reported that 242 million children in 85 countries faced schooling interruptions due to extreme weather in 2024. Heatwaves, flooding, and cyclones significantly disrupted education, especially in low-income nations. Approximately 74% of those affected are in the poorest countries, revealing the devastating impact of climate hazards on children’s access to education. The report highlights the urgent need for education systems to address these challenges effectively.
According to a recent report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), an alarming 242 million children in 85 countries experienced interruptions to their education in the previous year due to extreme weather phenomena. This statistic translates to one in every seven school-aged children globally being affected by climate-related incidents during 2024. The impact was most pronounced in low-income nations across Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where countless schools were damaged or completely destroyed by weather events.
Regions beyond the poorest countries were similarly affected, with Italy’s torrential rains and floods resulting in school disruptions for over 900,000 children. Furthermore, thousands of students in Spain faced halted classes following severe flooding. Throughout 2024, the predominance of climate hazards was noted as heatwaves, especially amidst what was recorded as the hottest year on record. UNICEF reported a staggering 118 million children were affected by heat waves in April alone, significantly impacting areas from Gaza to the Philippines.
Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s Executive Director, expressed concern regarding children’s heightened susceptibility to the adverse effects of severe weather. “Children’s bodies are uniquely vulnerable. They heat up faster, they sweat less efficiently and cool down more slowly than adults. Children cannot concentrate in classrooms that offer no respite from sweltering heat,” she stated. The report highlighted that approximately 74% of impacted children were from middle- and low-income nations, underscoring the ongoing devastation climatic extremes are causing.
In specific instances, flooding in Pakistan ruined over 400 schools in April, while severe weather in Afghanistan destroyed more than 110 educational institutions in May. In southern Africa, prolonged droughts worsened by the El Niño phenomenon have jeopardized the education and futures of numerous children. The crises resulting from such climatic events showed little sign of resolution.
In December, Cyclone Chido devastated the French territory of Mayotte, and the region was struck again by Tropical Storm Dikeledi, leading to substantial school absences. Moreover, Cyclone Chido destroyed over 330 schools in Mozambique, further emphasizing the urgent need for robust educational infrastructures. UNICEF concluded that the global education systems remain largely unprepared to handle the repercussions of extreme weather events.
The global education landscape is increasingly threatened by climate change, which disrupts learning for millions of children worldwide. Recent reports by UNICEF illustrate the widespread impact of climate hazards—such as heat waves, floods, and cyclones—on schooling, particularly in vulnerable low- and middle-income countries. Understanding the relationship between extreme weather events and educational accessibility is critical to addressing this issue.
In summary, UNICEF’s report reveals a dire situation where extreme weather events have significantly interrupted the education of 242 million children throughout the past year. The gravest impact was felt in low-income regions, particularly in Asia and Africa, yet the effects extend to wealthier regions as well. With climate change leading to enduring challenges for educational institutions, there is an urgent need for improved preparedness to protect children’s access to schooling in the face of increasing environmental crises.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
