UNICEF Reports 242 Million Children Interrupted by Climate-related School Closures
UNICEF reports that 242 million children worldwide missed school due to extreme weather in 2024, affecting one in seven students. The majority of interruptions occurred in low-income countries, with heatwaves as the primary climate hazard. The report stresses that education systems globally are unprepared for the impacts of climate change on schooling.
According to a recent report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), approximately 242 million children in 85 countries experienced interruptions to their schooling in the past year due to extreme weather events such as heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding. This statistic equates to one in seven school-aged children worldwide being affected by climate-related hazards in 2024.
The report highlights the disproportionate impact on low-income nations in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where entire schools were destroyed by severe weather. However, even regions such as southern Europe faced significant disruptions, with torrential rain and flooding in Italy affecting over 900,000 children, while catastrophic events in Spain similarly halted classes.
The report indicates that heatwaves were the most significant climate hazard impacting schools last year, coinciding with the Earth’s record high temperatures. Furthermore, in April alone, more than 118 million children in the Middle East and Asia were affected by an intense heatwave that saw temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).
Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s executive director, notes that children are particularly susceptible to the effects of weather-related crises. She emphasizes that their physical characteristics make them more vulnerable than adults, contributing to difficulties in concentrating in extreme heat and accessing school during flooding or in the aftermath of school destruction.
Approximately 74% of the affected children belonged to middle- and low-income countries, underscoring the severe repercussions that climatic extremes have on impoverished nations. Notably, over 400 schools in Pakistan were ruined by flooding in April, and Afghanistan faced heatwaves followed by floods that destroyed more than 110 schools.
The situation remains dire, as months of drought in southern Africa, exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon, pose significant challenges to the education and futures of millions of children. For instance, Cyclone Chido inflicted devastation in the French territory of Mayotte, leaving children without schooling for weeks.
The report also details how Cyclone Chido destroyed over 330 schools and three regional educational departments in Mozambique, where educational access was already critically limited. UNICEF asserts that the global education systems are inadequately prepared to handle the consequences of extreme weather events, necessitating urgent attention.
Recent events surrounding climate change have demonstrated a significant increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather phenomena. The adverse effects on children’s education are of particular concern as they face interruptions in their schooling. This issue reflects broader trends in how global warming impacts societies, especially in economically disadvantaged regions where resilience to climate disruptions is limited.
In summary, UNICEF’s report emphasizes the alarming number of children who faced educational disruptions due to extreme weather in 2024. The impact is significantly felt in low-income countries, with heatwaves being a major factor. Urgent measures are required to bolster education systems globally in light of increasing climatic challenges, ensuring that children can continue their education despite such adversities.
Original Source: www.pbs.org
