UNICEF Report Highlights Impact of Extreme Weather on Children’s Education
UNICEF reports that 242 million children in 85 countries missed school last year due to extreme weather, equating to one in seven students. Low-income countries were hit hardest, with heatwaves identified as the main climate hazard. The ongoing climate crisis poses severe threats to education, particularly in vulnerable regions.
A recent UNICEF report reveals that last year, approximately 242 million children in 85 countries faced interruptions in their education due to extreme weather events, including heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding. This disruption equates to one in seven school-aged children globally missing school at some point. The impact has been especially pronounced in low-income countries in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where numerous schools have been destroyed by climate-related disasters.
Southern Europe was not exempt from the recent extreme weather; torrential rains and significant flooding in Italy affected over 900,000 children’s education while Spain experienced similar disruptions. The report highlights heatwaves as the main climate hazard affecting school attendance, as 2024 marked a record high in global temperatures.
In April alone, over 118 million children were unable to attend school due to severe heatwaves spanning from Gaza to the Philippines, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell noted that children’s physical vulnerabilities exacerbate the disruptions caused by climate crises, leading to difficulties in concentration and attendance when schools are impacted by extreme weather.
The alarming trend of climate-related school interruptions has gained prominence, particularly highlighted by UNICEF’s latest findings. The organization’s focus is on raising awareness of how climate hazards endanger children’s right to education. With an increasing frequency and intensity of environmental disasters, this issue underscores the need for proactive strategies to safeguard educational institutions and promote resilience against future climate crises, especially in vulnerable regions around the world.
In conclusion, UNICEF’s findings underscore the critical impact of extreme weather on children’s education, with millions of children experiencing disruptions. The report calls attention to the urgent need for improved resilience in education systems, particularly in low-income regions. Addressing the challenges posed by climate change is essential to ensure children’s access to uninterrupted education and protect their future.
Original Source: www.pbs.org
