Extreme Weather Disrupts Education for Nearly 250 Million Children in 2024, UNICEF Reports
Extreme weather events such as heatwaves, cyclones, and floods disrupted the education of at least 242 million children worldwide in 2024, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) revealed in a report released on Friday.
Heatwaves were identified as the most disruptive climate event, leading to widespread school closures and reduced schooling hours in countries like Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Cambodia. Afghanistan faced multiple climate hazards, including severe flash floods in May that damaged or destroyed more than 110 schools, exacerbating the crisis for students in the region.
Global temperatures reached unprecedented levels in 2024, with the Earth’s average surface temperature rising 1.55°C (2.79°F) above pre-industrial levels, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
“Children are more vulnerable to the impacts of weather-related crises, including stronger and more frequent heatwaves, storms, droughts, and flooding,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said.
Russell highlighted that children’s bodies are less equipped to handle extreme heat, noting, “Children cannot concentrate in classrooms that offer no respite from sweltering heat, and they cannot get to school if the path is flooded or if schools are washed away.”
UNICEF reported that 85 countries experienced climate-related school disruptions in 2024, with 20 countries facing nationwide interruptions. Approximately 74% of affected students were in middle- and low-income countries.
South Asia was the hardest-hit region, with 128 million students experiencing climate-related upheaval. East Asia and the Pacific followed closely behind.
The month of September saw the highest frequency of disruptions, with at least 18 countries suspending classes due to extreme weather events.
Despite its critical role in equipping children with the skills needed for climate adaptation, education remains underemphasized in global climate policy discussions.
“Education is one of the services most frequently disrupted due to climate hazards. Yet it is often overlooked in policy discussions, despite its role in preparing children for climate adaptation,” Russell emphasized.
She urged world leaders and policymakers to place children’s futures at the forefront of all climate-related plans and actions, warning that failing to address the issue could undermine the prospects of an entire generation.
The report calls for immediate action to safeguard children’s education in the face of escalating climate crises, highlighting the urgent need for climate-resilient infrastructure and policies to protect the most vulnerable.
