130 Million Children Still Face School Closures Five Years After COVID-19 Pandemic
A recent report by Save the Children reveals that over 130 million children in 22 countries are still experiencing school closures linked to climate-related events, five years after the COVID-19 pandemic first shuttered schools globally, Reliefweb.com reported. These closures, which have occurred repeatedly since January 2022, affect countries such as the Philippines, Honduras, Bangladesh, and Mexico.
The analysis highlights the ongoing impact of the pandemic on education, noting that children in nations with prolonged school shutdowns suffered significant learning losses. In the Philippines, for instance, students faced over 520 days of lockdown from early 2020 to March 2022. Since then, extreme weather events have further disrupted education for approximately 28 million students.
Carla, a 16-year-old student from the Philippines, expressed her concerns about falling behind in mathematics, stating, “I feel like there is always going to be a lesson that other students know, and I do not.” This sentiment reflects a broader issue, as the World Bank estimates that 404 million children in 81 countries have had their education interrupted by climate crises since early 2022.
James Cox, Save the Children’s head of education policy, emphasized the urgent need for resilient educational systems. He stated, “Education is lifesaving and lifegiving. Schools must be supported to withstand the effects of the climate crisis.”
In response, Save the Children has implemented various initiatives, including distance learning materials and “Catch Up Clubs,” to help children regain lost learning and build climate-resilient schools worldwide.
