Heat Wave in Southern Brazil Results in Class Suspensions

Five cities in southern Brazil, including Rio Grande, have suspended classes due to a heat wave, with temperatures reaching up to 36 degrees Celsius. The National Institute of Meteorology issued weather warnings for the region, where education systems face increasing disruptions from climate change. This reflects a broader trend impacting over a million children in Brazil last year due to extreme weather conditions.

The southern region of Brazil has seen five cities suspend classes due to an intense heat wave, with temperatures soaring to 36 degrees Celsius. The city of Rio Grande, among those affected, indicated that its educational facilities lack the resources to cope with such extreme conditions. Classes are anticipated to resume on the following Monday.

The National Institute of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for Rio Grande do Sul, along with four other states in Brazil, as affected areas have recorded temperatures up to 5 degrees Celsius above average for the month. Last year, adverse climatic events impacted at least 1.17 million Brazilian children, with floods and droughts being prevalent, particularly affecting 740,000 students in Rio Grande do Sul due to flooding in May 2024.

According to Daniel Cara, an education policy researcher at the University of Sao Paulo, the trend of closing schools during the dry season is not new, driven by wildfire risks or water scarcity. However, he noted that class cancellations due to extreme heat are becoming increasingly commonplace, remarking, “This is going to be the new normal.”

The Brazilian population has faced several heat waves this summer, with Rio de Janeiro reporting record-breaking temperatures of 44 degrees Celsius in February, marking the hottest day experienced in over ten years.

The report illustrates the growing need for adaptations in education systems to respond to climate-induced challenges, necessitating urgent discussions on the infrastructure and policies that can safeguard the educational environment against such extremes.

The recent heat wave in southern Brazil has compelled five cities to suspend school activities, emphasizing the escalating impact of climate change on education. As temperatures rise, particularly in Rio Grande do Sul, the frequency of school closures due to extreme weather is expected to increase. This situation underscores a critical need for adaptations in educational infrastructure to mitigate the consequences of climate events on the learning process.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com