Extreme Weather Disrupts Education for 242 Million Children, UNICEF Warns of Growing Crisis

Extreme weather events disrupted the schooling of about 242 million children in 85 countries last year, according to a report from UNICEF. This means roughly one in seven students around the world faced interruptions to their education.

Heat waves were the biggest cause, with temperatures rising so high that many schools had to close, reopen late, or were even damaged. UNICEF’s director, Catherine Russell, said children are more vulnerable to heat because their bodies heat up faster and cool down slower than adults. In places like the Philippines, many schools without air conditioning had to shut down, putting students at risk of heat-related illnesses.

The report also noted that climate change, driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, has made extreme weather worse. Rising global temperatures are causing more intense heat waves, floods, and storms, which have affected millions of children. South Asia, especially India and Bangladesh, saw the highest number of students impacted, with millions missing school due to heat waves.

UNICEF warned that the problem will likely worsen in the coming years, as more children will face the effects of climate change. They also expressed concern that disruptions to education, particularly for girls, could increase the risk of school dropouts.

To address this, UNICEF called for investment in classrooms that are better equipped to handle extreme weather, urging that children’s education be prioritized in climate action plans.