UNICEF reported that 242 million children in 85 countries missed school due to extreme weather events in 2024, affecting one in seven school children worldwide. Low-income nations in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa were disproportionately impacted, with additional disruptions in regions like southern Europe. The report indicates that heatwaves were the main climate threat, highlighting the urgent need for education systems to adapt to ongoing climate challenges.
According to a recent report by UNICEF, approximately 242 million children across 85 countries faced interruptions to their schooling in 2024 due to extreme weather events such as heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding. This alarming statistic translates to one in every seven school-aged children worldwide being absent from class due to climate-related hazards. Low-income nations in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa were particularly affected, experiencing the highest levels of disruption.
Other regions, including southern Europe, also suffered significant impacts from extreme weather. In Italy, torrential rains and subsequent flooding disrupted educational activities for over 900,000 children. Additionally, students in Spain experienced class cancellations following severe flooding incidents, highlighting a global issue.
UNICEF emphasized that heatwaves constituted the predominant climate hazard affecting schools last year, exacerbated by the earth recording its hottest year on record. Notably, in April alone, over 118 million children had their education disrupted amidst a prolonged heatwave that affected areas spanning from Gaza to the Philippines.
Catherine Russell, the executive director of UNICEF, remarked on children’s heightened vulnerability to weather-related crises. “Children’s bodies are uniquely vulnerable. They heat up faster, they sweat less efficiently, and cool down more slowly than adults,” she stated. These physiological differences make it difficult for children to focus in classrooms without proper cooling or transportation when faced with flooding.
The report indicated that approximately 74% of affected children reside in middle- and low-income countries, underscoring the deleterious impact climate extremes have on the most impoverished regions. For instance, flooding in Pakistan resulted in the destruction of over 400 schools, while Afghanistan experienced a combination of heatwaves and severe flooding that obliterated 110 schools in a single month.
Drought conditions in southern Africa, intensified by the El Niño phenomenon, threaten the educational prospects of millions of children. Cyclone Chido wreaked havoc in the Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, coupled with another system that left children unable to attend school for six weeks. Likewise, cyclone impacts in Mozambique affected access to education critically.
UNICEF asserted that the global education systems remain inadequately prepared to adapt to the ramifications of extreme weather. This lack of preparedness raises concerns for the continuity of education in the face of ongoing climate crises.
UNICEF’s report sheds light on the impact of climate change on children’s education, emphasizing the severity and frequency of extreme weather events impacting schooling in various regions. This growing concern highlights the need to address the vulnerabilities of educational systems, especially in low-income countries, where climate hazards disproportionately disrupt access to learning opportunities. The report notably draws attention to the increasing number of children affected by rising temperatures and natural disasters, linking these events directly to the ongoing climate crisis. The underlying message emphasizes a systemic issue that requires immediate action to protect children’s education.
In conclusion, the UNICEF report reveals a startling reality where extreme weather significantly interrupts schooling for millions of children worldwide, with a marked impact on impoverished regions. The patterns of climate-related disruptions underscore an urgent need for global education systems to address vulnerabilities and enhance resilience against the escalating climate crisis. Immediate steps are imperative to safeguard the education and future of the most affected children.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
