UNICEF’s report reveals that extreme weather events caused nearly 250 million children worldwide to miss school last year. The predominant factors included heatwaves, floods, and cyclones, particularly affecting low-income countries. There is a pressing need for education systems to adapt to climate challenges, as the current infrastructure is largely insufficient to protect children’s education.
UNICEF reported that nearly 250 million children were unable to attend school last year due to extreme weather events, equating to one in seven school-aged children worldwide. A new report highlighted that climate hazards such as heatwaves, cyclones, and floods disrupted education for at least 242 million children across 85 countries.
The destruction of schools was severe, particularly in low-income countries in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. However, regions outside these areas also experienced significant challenges, with severe flooding in Italy affecting over 900,000 children, and catastrophic deluges in Spain halting classes for thousands.
Heatwaves emerged as the leading climate hazard affecting students, coinciding with the hottest year recorded globally. In April alone, extreme heat impacted more than 118 million children, notably across the Middle East and Asia, where temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).
Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s executive director, emphasized the increased vulnerability of children to climate-induced crises. She stated that children cannot concentrate in classrooms lacking adequate cooling, nor can they reach school if pathways are flooded or if the schools themselves are damaged.
Approximately 74% of the affected children are from middle- and low-income families, underscoring the devastating consequences of climatic extremes in poorer nations. In April, flooding in Pakistan destroyed over 400 schools, while Afghanistan faced heatwaves followed by severe flooding that ruined more than 110 schools in May.
Drought conditions in southern Africa, exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon, further threatened the education and prospects of millions of children. Cyclone Chido devastated the French territory of Mayotte in December, with further impact from Tropical Storm Dikeledi affecting schooling for six weeks.
UNICEF remarked that schools and educational systems are generally unprepared to handle the effects of extreme weather, indicating a pressing need for substantial improvements and adaptations to protect children’s education against such climate challenges.
The report by UNICEF sheds light on the escalating impact of climate-related events on children’s education globally. With nearly 250 million children missing school in a single year because of extreme weather, the implications for learning and future opportunities are dire. This trend highlights the urgency of addressing climate change and its effects on vulnerable populations, particularly in low-income regions where educational resources are scarce and ecosystems are fragile.
In conclusion, the alarming statistic that nearly 250 million children missed school due to extreme weather underscores the critical challenge posed by climate change to educational systems worldwide. It is evident that immediate measures are required to enhance the resilience of schools to withstand such climatic threats, particularly in vulnerable regions, ensuring that children’s right to education is safeguarded.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
