UNICEF reports that nearly 250 million children worldwide missed school in 2024 due to extreme weather, with one in seven children affected. The disruptions, primarily caused by rising temperatures, flooding, and cyclones, particularly impacted low-income countries. The report underscores the vulnerability of children’s education systems amid climate change, stressing the need for improved resilience against such crises.
A recent UNICEF report reveals that almost 250 million children experienced school disruptions in 2024 due to extreme weather events, which translates to one in seven school-going children globally being affected. The report highlights significant interruptions from cyclones, flooding, and heatwaves, particularly impacting low-income countries across Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where the educational infrastructure suffered greatly, with hundreds of schools being destroyed.
Notably, southern Europe also faced severe weather, as torrential rains in Italy and catastrophic flooding in Spain disrupted schooling for over 900,000 children. Extreme heat was identified as the primary cause of school interruptions, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius during severe heatwaves across the Middle East and Asia, particularly affecting children’s ability to attend classes.
UNICEF’s Executive Director, Catherine Russell, emphasized the heightened vulnerability of children to weather-related crises, underscoring their physical response to heat and their inability to access education during hazardous conditions. The report stressed that 74% of the children affected were situated in middle and low-income nations, further illustrating the stark challenges faced in these regions.
In particular, flooding in Pakistan and Afghanistan saw the destruction of hundreds of schools, while months of drought in southern Africa, particularly exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon, threatened the futures of numerous children. Cyclone Chido profoundly impacted the French territory of Mayotte and Mozambique, further complicating education access in these already strained settings.
UNICEF concluded that the education systems worldwide are inadequately prepared to manage the repercussions of extreme weather, urging for more resilient educational infrastructures to protect children’s learning from climate-related adversities.
The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events pose significant challenges to education systems worldwide. Reports by organizations such as UNICEF highlight the intersection of climate change and education, indicating that significant disruptions affect children’s schooling, particularly in vulnerable regions. With one in seven school-going children missing school due to climate hazards, there is an urgent need to address the impact of extreme weather on education.
In conclusion, the staggering number of children affected by extreme weather highlights the urgent challenges facing global education systems amid climate change. As weather-related crises continue to escalate, particularly in low-income regions, there is an evident necessity for robust strategies that can enhance the resilience of educational infrastructures. Immediate action is required to safeguard children’s access to education and mitigate the future impacts of climate-related disruptions.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
