UNICEF reported that nearly 242 million children were kept out of school in 2024 due to extreme weather incidents, highlighting a significant concern for education globally. Some regions, particularly in low-income countries, faced severe disruptions, while heatwaves emerged as the most prevalent climate threat last year. The report emphasizes the urgent need for educational systems to adapt to these challenges.
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that approximately 242 million children in 85 countries experienced interruptions in their education last year due to extreme weather events, including heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding. This staggering figure represents one in seven school-going children worldwide impacted by climate hazards in 2024.
The report highlights that many nations, particularly low-income countries in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, witnessed the destruction of hundreds of schools due to extreme weather. However, Southern Europe also faced significant disruptions, with torrential rains and flooding in Italy impacting over 900,000 children, while catastrophic flooding in Spain halted classes for thousands.
UNICEF emphasized that heatwaves were the predominant threat against education last year as the planet recorded its hottest year. In April alone, over 118 million children were affected by school interruptions due to extreme heat, particularly in the Middle East and Asia, where temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).
Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s executive director, stated, “Children are more vulnerable to the impacts of weather-related crises, including stronger and more frequent heatwaves, storms, droughts, and flooding.” She urged recognition of the unique vulnerabilities children face in these extreme conditions, underlining that they cannot concentrate in classrooms during extreme heat or attend school when flooded roads impede access.
The report revealed that 74% of the affected children reside in middle- and low-income nations, underscoring the devastating effects of climate change on the world’s poorest populations. Countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan reported severe educational disruptions, with thousands of schools destroyed by floods and heatwaves respectively.
Furthermore, months of drought in Southern Africa, aggravated by the El Niño phenomenon, pose significant threats to education for millions of children. Recent cyclones in the Indian Ocean and Mozambique resulted in extensive damage, leaving children unable to attend school for weeks.
UNICEF concluded that many global educational systems are poorly equipped to manage the repercussions of extreme weather events, which require urgent attention.
UNICEF’s report illuminates the widespread disruption of education globally due to climate change and extreme weather, emphasizing the vulnerability of children, particularly in impoverished regions. It explains how various climatic crises, such as heatwaves, floods, and cyclones, have increasingly interfered with schooling, posing a critical threat to children’s learning and futures. The focus on low-income countries is particularly pronounced, where the impact is devastating and ongoing.
In summary, UNICEF’s report poignantly illustrates the alarming extent to which extreme weather has disrupted educational access for 242 million children worldwide. Highlighting the severe vulnerabilities faced by children in both low-income and developing regions, the report calls for urgent action to strengthen educational systems against climatic impacts and ensure continued access to learning.
Original Source: www.pbs.org
