UNICEF released a report titled “Learning Interrupted – Global Snapshot of Climate-Related School Disruptions in 2024.” This report marks a staggering statistic – at least 242 million students globally faced school disruptions due to climate events in 2024. The figure is conservative, as data limitations were acknowledged. The analysis covered disruptions in 85 countries, identifying 119 climate hazards that caused interruptions in education.
Definition of School Disruption
- School disruption refers to any event that suspends regular school activities.
- This includes closures, changes in timetables, preponing of vacations, postponing school reopenings, and destruction of school infrastructure due to climate-related events.
Impact of Heat Waves
Heatwaves emerged as the most climate hazard, affecting at least 171 million children. April 2024 saw a peak, with over 118 million students impacted, particularly in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and the Philippines. These disruptions were widespread, affecting schooling hours and access to education.
Regional Variations
Disruptions varied by region. South Asia was the hardest hit, with over 127 million students affected. India alone accounted for 54 million impacted students. East Asia and the Pacific reported 50 million affected students, primarily due to heat waves. Latin America and the Caribbean faced disruptions from a combination of climate events, impacting 30 million students.
Other Climate Hazards
In addition to heat waves, tropical cyclones, storms, floods, and droughts contributed to school disruptions. In September, tropical cyclones affected 18 million students. Southern Africa experienced severe droughts linked to El Niño, impacting 1.8 million children in Zimbabwe alone. Floods and storms were particularly disruptive in West and Central Africa, affecting millions.
Vulnerability of Children
Children are more susceptible to the impacts of climate-related crises. Nearly one billion children live in countries facing extreme climate risks. These conditions lead to long-term educational setbacks, affecting children’s futures.
Global Response and Awareness
The report calls for urgent action to address climate-related disruptions in education. It marks the need for improved infrastructure, better preparedness for climate events, and increased awareness of the challenges faced by children in vulnerable regions.
Call for Action
UNICEF advocates for global collaboration to mitigate these challenges. It stresses the importance of protecting children’s right to education in the face of climate change. This involves policy changes, investment in resilient school infrastructures, and community engagement.
Questions for UPSC:
- Discuss the impact of climate change on global education systems in recent years.
- Critically examine the role of international organisations in addressing climate-related educational disruptions.
- Explain the significance of heat waves in the context of climate-induced school closures.
- With suitable examples, discuss the long-term effects of droughts on children’s education in Southern Africa.
Answer Hints:
1. Discuss the impact of climate change on global education systems in recent years.
- Climate change has led to increased frequency and intensity of weather-related events, disrupting education.
- At least 242 million students faced school disruptions globally in 2024, denoting the scale of the issue.
- Regions like South Asia and East Asia experienced disruptions, with heat waves being the primary cause.
- Long-term educational setbacks include reduced access to schooling and compromised learning outcomes.
- Children’s vulnerability to climate impacts exacerbates educational inequalities, particularly in low-income regions.
2. Critically examine the role of international organisations in addressing climate-related educational disruptions.
- UNICEF plays a key role in raising awareness and providing data on climate-related school disruptions.
- International organisations advocate for policy changes and investment in resilient educational infrastructure.
- They facilitate collaboration between countries to share best practices and resources for climate adaptation.
- Emergency response initiatives are often coordinated by these organisations to support affected regions.
- They also emphasize the need for integrating climate education into school curricula to build resilience.
3. Explain the significance of heat waves in the context of climate-induced school closures.
- Heat waves are the leading climate hazard, impacting at least 171 million children in 2024.
- They cause widespread school closures and alterations in academic schedules, affecting learning continuity.
- Regions like South Asia, especially India and Bangladesh, experienced severe disruptions due to extreme heat.
- In April 2024, over 118 million students were affected, demonstrating the immediate impact of heat waves.
- Long-term exposure to heat can lead to health issues, further hindering educational attainment.
4. With suitable examples, discuss the long-term effects of droughts on children’s education in Southern Africa.
- Droughts in Southern Africa, particularly linked to El Niño, have had devastating impacts on education.
- In Zimbabwe, prolonged drought affected schooling for 1.8 million children, disrupting their education.
- Reduced agricultural productivity leads to food insecurity, affecting children’s ability to attend school.
- Long-term drought conditions can result in increased dropout rates and lower educational attainment.
- Children in drought-affected areas often face psychological stress, further impacting their learning capabilities.
