UNICEF Report Reveals 250 Million Children Missed School Due to Extreme Weather

UNICEF reported that nearly 250 million children missed school last year due to extreme weather. The interruptions particularly affected those in low-income countries where educational infrastructure was severely damaged. Heatwaves were identified as the primary climate hazard, with vast regions experiencing perilously high temperatures, while rampant flooding and storms also demonstrated the urgent need for improved resilience in educational systems worldwide.

UNICEF reported that nearly 250 million children missed school last year due to extreme weather events, equating to approximately one in seven school-aged children worldwide being affected by climate-related disruptions. Specifically, around 242 million children in 85 countries faced interruptions in their education due to various climate hazards, including heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding.

The impact of extreme weather was notably severe in low-income nations in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where many schools were destroyed. However, regions like southern Europe also encountered significant disruptions; for example, over 900,000 children in Italy faced school closures due to heavy rains and floods toward the end of the year, while catastrophic flooding in Spain led to similar outcomes.

Heatwaves emerged as the primary climate hazard leading to school closures last year, with the year recording the highest global temperatures. In April alone, more than 118 million children experienced interruptions, especially in the Middle East and Asia, where temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

UNICEF’s Executive Director Catherine Russell stated, “Children are more vulnerable to the impacts of weather-related crises, including stronger and more frequent heatwaves, storms, droughts, and flooding.” She emphasized how children’s bodies react more adversely to extreme heat and how environmental conditions can disrupt their learning.

In 2024, approximately 74% of the affected children resided in middle- and low-income countries, spotlighting the critical vulnerability of these regions to climatic extremes. For instance, floods in Pakistan resulted in the destruction of over 400 schools, while heatwaves in Afghanistan were followed by devastating flooding that damaged over 110 schools.

The ongoing drought in southern Africa, intensified by the El Niño phenomenon, threatens the education and future of millions of children. In December, Cyclone Chido wreaked havoc in the Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, adversely impacting children’s schooling for six weeks, while the cyclone also destroyed more than 330 schools in Mozambique.

UNICEF emphasized that the current educational systems globally are largely unprepared to address the consequences of extreme weather, calling attention to the need for significant improvements in resilience and adaptation strategies.

In recent years, climate change has drastically affected the education of children worldwide. Natural disasters such as floods, heatwaves, and cyclones have not only disrupted schooling but have led to the destruction of infrastructure in many low-income nations. These events highlight the increasing vulnerability of children, particularly in regions already struggling with poverty and inadequate educational resources. As global temperatures rise, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are expected to increase, posing an imminent threat to education systems that are ill-equipped to respond. Addressing the impact of climate change on education requires urgent attention from governments, educators, and international organizations to ensure that young learners can continue their education despite environmental challenges.

In summary, nearly 250 million children missed school in the past year due to climate-related disruptions, with significant implications for their education. The overwhelming number of affected children, particularly in low-income countries beset by extreme weather, underscores the urgent need to enhance the resilience of educational systems. Without urgent action and adaptation strategies, the future of millions of children remains at risk due to the escalating impacts of climate change.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com