The education of a least 242 million students across 85 countries was disrupted last year due to extreme weather events, UNICEF indicated in a report released today.
Dubbed “Learning Interrupted: Global Snapshot of Climate-Related School Disruptions in 2024”, the study highlighted how heatwaves, tropical cyclones, floods, droughts, and storms exacerbated an already dire global learning crisis.
UNICEF’s analysis, unveiled on International Day of Education, is the first comprehensive look at climate-related disruptions to schooling. It found that severe weather kept one in seven students out of the classroom in 2024, with heat waves representing the most common threat.
Over 118 million students worldwide were affected by heat-related school closures in April alone, including widespread shutdowns in Bangladesh and the Philippines. In Cambodia, authorities shortened school days by two hours to combat extreme heat, while South Asia faced temperatures soaring to 116°F, putting children at risk of heat stroke.
“Children are uniquely vulnerable to weather-related crises,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Their bodies heat up faster, they sweat less efficiently, and they cool down more slowly than adults. In sweltering classrooms or when paths to schools are flooded, their ability to learn and their health are at risk.”
South Asia bore the brunt of climate disruptions, with 128 million students affected, while East Asia and the Pacific saw schooling interrupted for 50 million children. Africa was also adversely affected by climate events, with East African floods and Southern African droughts fueled by El Niño – a global climate phenomenon.
September proved especially devastating, as many countries began their school year amid extreme weather events. Typhoon Yagi in East Asia disrupted education for 16 million children, and torrential rains in Italy displaced 900,000 students. In Afghanistan, flash floods in May destroyed over 110 schools, adding to the relentless heatwaves.
The report shows how prolonged school closures can have long-term consequences, particularly in fragile regions. Children forced out of school are more likely to face risks like child marriage, labor exploitation, and gender-based violence. Girls, especially, are disproportionately affected by these issues.
Climate hazards also worsen existing deficiencies in global education systems, such as overcrowded classrooms, untrained teachers, and unequal access to education. UNICEF found that 74% of students affected by climate-related disruptions in 2024 were in low- and lower-middle-income countries.