Extreme Weather Disrupts Education for 250 Million Children, UNICEF Reports

A staggering 242 million students faced educational disruptions in 2024 due to extreme weather events, Al Jazeera revealed citing a recent UNICEF report. The agency highlighted that heatwaves were the most significant factor, particularly affecting Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Cambodia, where schools were closed or hours reduced.

Countries like Afghanistan also experienced severe impacts, with heatwaves and flash floods damaging over 110 schools. Global temperatures reached an unprecedented high in 2024, averaging 1.55 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, exacerbating the situation.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized the vulnerability of children to climate crises, noting that their bodies react differently to heat and stress. In total, 85 countries reported climate-related school disruptions, with South Asia being the hardest hit, affecting around 128 million students.

September was particularly severe, with at least 18 countries suspending classes. Despite the significant impact on education, Russell remarked that this issue is often overlooked in climate policy discussions. She urged that children’s futures must be prioritized in all climate-related plans and actions, reinforcing the need for comprehensive strategies to safeguard education amid climate challenges.