Climate Crises Disrupted Education for 1 in 7 Children Globally in 2024, UNICEF Reports

Extreme weather events like heatwaves, floods, and typhoons impacted the education of 242 million children, with South Asia facing the greatest challenges.

UNICEF estimates that 242 million children across 85 countries experienced disruptions to their education in 2024 due to climate-related events.
Heatwaves were the leading cause, affecting 171 million children, with South Asia being the hardest-hit region, particularly India and Bangladesh.
Prolonged school closures and destroyed infrastructure, such as the 1,126 classrooms damaged in Mozambique by Cyclone Chido, raise concerns about long-term dropout risks, especially for girls.
UNICEF warns that if greenhouse gas emissions remain unchecked, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events will increase, exposing eight times more children to heatwaves by 2050 compared to 2000.
The agency calls for urgent investments in climate-resilient school infrastructure and highlights the often-overlooked role of education in preparing children for a changing climate.