At least 242 million students suffered frequent disruptions last year as a result of the heatwaves, cyclones, floods, and other extreme weather events, the United Nations Children’s Agency has said.
During 2024, heatwaves were the most disruptive climate, with Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Cambodia experiencing widespread and frequent school closures, a UNICEF report said on Friday.
Afghanistan remained on top among the countries to face multiple climate hazards, with the country facing heatwaves as well as severe flash floods that damaged more than 110 schools in May last year, UNICEF said.
The subsequent rise of 1.55 degrees Celsius in global temperatures in 2024 was the highest rise since the 1850-1900 average, according to the World Meteorological Organisation.
Children, according to the UNICEF report, “are more vulnerable to the impacts of weather-related crises, including stronger and more frequent heatwaves, storms, droughts, and flooding,” said UNICEF executive director Catherine Russell.
She added that “the bodies of children are vulnerable. They heat up faster, sweat less, and cool down slowly compared to adults.”
According to UNICEF, a total of 85 countries experienced climate-related school disruption, including 20 nations that witnessed widespread disruptions.
Of the nearly 250 million students affected, 74 per cent were in middle- and low-income countries.
South Asia was the worst-affected region, with about 128 million students facing climate-related upheaval, followed by East Asia and the Pacific," adding that “Children’s futures must be at the forefront of all climate-related plans and actions.”
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