UNICEF Reports Extreme Weather Disrupted Education for 242 Million Children in 2024

UNICEF reported that 242 million children missed school in 2024 due to extreme weather, equating to one in seven children globally. Heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding were primary disruptors, with low-income countries facing the most severe impacts. Education systems are deemed ill-equipped to handle these climate crises, highlighting the urgent need for effective strategies to protect education from climate-related disruptions.

According to a recent report by UNICEF, approximately 242 million children experienced interruptions to their education in 2024 due to extreme weather events, including heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding, across 85 countries. This equates to one in seven children worldwide being affected by climate-related hazards, highlighting a significant global concern. Schools in low-income nations in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa were particularly affected, with reports of extensive damage and destruction.

The report informs that southern Europe also faced extreme weather challenges, as torrential rains and floods in Italy disrupted the education of over 900,000 children, while Spain witnessed similar catastrophic flooding. Throughout the year, heatwaves emerged as the primary reason for school closures, with 2024 recording the hottest temperatures on record.

In April alone, over 118 million children missed school due to severe heatwaves, which affected vast regions of the Middle East and Asia. UNICEF’s executive director, Catherine Russell, emphasized the increased vulnerability of children to weather-related crises, highlighting physiological differences that make them more susceptible to extreme heat and its impact on their capacity to learn.

The report notes that approximately 74% of the affected children were from middle- and low-income countries, underlining the disproportionate impact of climate extremes on poorer communities. Pakistan faced flooding that destroyed over 400 schools, while Afghanistan experienced similar devastation from heatwaves and subsequent flooding.

In southern Africa, prolonged drought conditions, worsened by the El Niño phenomenon, threaten the education prospects for millions of children. Recent cyclones in the Indian Ocean and Mozambique further compounded the crisis, impacting numerous schools and regional education departments, leaving access to education in a perilous state.

UNICEF pointed out that the global education systems are not adequately prepared to tackle the challenges brought about by climate change and extreme weather, signifying an urgent need for comprehensive strategies to mitigate these impacts.

The significant disruptions to education caused by extreme climate events underscore the pressing challenges facing school systems worldwide. With over 240 million children affected significantly by severe weather, the impact on education, particularly in low and middle-income countries, presents a critical issue. As climate change intensifies, such events are expected to become even more frequent, necessitating proactive responses from governments and educational institutions to safeguard children’s rights to education.

In conclusion, the consequences of extreme weather on children’s education are both alarming and indicative of a broader climate crisis. As identified by UNICEF, urgent interventions are required to protect affected schools and children, particularly in low-income regions. Ensuring resilience in education systems and addressing climate-related challenges can help mitigate these risks and promote stability in children’s learning environments.

Original Source: www.wral.com