WASHINGTON (Bernama-AA): At least 242 million students in 85 countries had their schooling disrupted by extreme climate events in 2024, Unicef has announced.
According to Anadolu Agency, heatwaves were the predominant climate hazard causing school closures last year in Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Cambodia, with over 118 million students affected in April alone, based on Unicef data.
According to the data, Afghanistan was among the countries that faced multiple climate hazards, including heatwaves and severe flash floods, which damaged over 110 schools in May.
South Asia was the most affected region, with 128 million students experiencing climate-related school disruptions last year. In East Asia and the Pacific, 50 million students had their schooling disrupted, UNICEF said.
"Children 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.
Russell said severe weather in 2024 kept one in seven students out of class, threatening their health and safety, and impacting their long-term education.
"Children’s bodies are uniquely vulnerable. They heat up faster, sweat less efficiently, and cool down more slowly than adults.
"Children cannot concentrate in classrooms that offer no respite from sweltering heat, and they cannot get to school if the path is flooded or if schools are washed away," she added. - Bernama/AA
