UNICEF reports that 242 million children missed school in 2024 due to extreme weather events, significantly affecting education in low-income countries. Southern Europe also faced severe disruptions from flooding and heatwaves. Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized children’s vulnerabilities to climate crises, with the poorest nations suffering the most destruction to schools. The report underscores the urgent need for educational systems to adapt to and mitigate climate-related impacts.
According to a recent report by UNESCO, approximately 242 million children across 85 countries had their education disrupted due to extreme weather events last year. This translates to about one in seven school-aged children globally facing interruptions due to climate-related hazards in 2024. Countries in low-income regions of Asia and sub-Saharan Africa were particularly affected, with severe incidents of school destruction due to these weather extremes.
In southern Europe, devastating weather also impacted education; for instance, torrential rain and floods in Italy affected over 900,000 children, while flooding in Spain disrupted thousands of classes. Extreme heatwaves predominated as a significant climate hazard last year, as the planet recorded its hottest year on record, substantially affecting schooling.
UNICEF reported that in April alone, more than 118 million children had their classes interrupted by a prolonged heatwave, which impacted much of the Middle East and Asia. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized that children are especially susceptible to the consequences of weather-related crises, noting their physiological vulnerabilities and the effects of heat on their ability to learn effectively.
Approximately 74% of the affected children in 2024 resided in middle- and low-income countries. This demographic continues to struggle against the disastrous ramifications of climatic extremes, with severe flooding destroying over 400 schools in Pakistan and heatwaves followed by floods damaging over 110 schools in Afghanistan, as reported by UNICEF.
The ongoing crises present dire conditions; Cyclone Chido left significant devastation in Mayotte, resulting in children missing school for six weeks. Additionally, this cyclone destroyed more than 330 schools and regional education departments in Mozambique, which already faces significant educational challenges. UNICEF warns that educational institutions worldwide are largely unprepared to tackle the repercussions of extreme weather.
The recent UNICEF report highlights the profound impact that extreme weather conditions have on children’s access to education across the globe. With millions of children unable to attend school due to climate-related disruptions, particularly in low-income countries, the situation underscores the dire need for more resilient educational infrastructures. Continuous climatic events, such as flooding, cyclones, and heatwaves, exacerbate existing vulnerabilities faced by children, particularly in regions that are less resilient to such adverse effects, revealing systemic issues in many educational systems.
The report from UNICEF paints a troubling picture of the intersection between extreme weather and access to education, particularly for children in vulnerable regions. With massive interruptions impacting millions, it is imperative to strengthen educational systems and infrastructures against the challenges of climate change. As conditions worsen, focused efforts on resilience and education accessibility become increasingly urgent to safeguard children’s futures.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
