The report reiterates that climate change is not a distant threat but a present reality that demands immediate action. Every effort must be made to protect the education of millions of children and ensure that learning continues even in the face of adversity.

A new report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that climate hazards disrupted the education of at least 128 million students in South Asia in 2024, with India facing the highest impact. Released on the International Day of Education, the report titled Learning Interrupted: Global Snapshot of Climate-Related School Disruptions in 2024 highlights the devastating toll of climate-induced disruptions on schooling worldwide.

Globally, at least 242 million students from pre-primary to upper secondary education experienced school disruptions due to extreme weather events in 2024, with South Asia emerging as the most affected region. The report states that 54 million students in India alone were impacted, primarily due to severe heatwaves that led to widespread school closures and changes in academic schedules.

This is the first such publication ever to have been produced by the international children’s organisation. It says that extreme temperatures and climate disasters not only damage schools but also ‘affect students’ concentration, memory, and mental and physical health’. So it is a double whammy for the schoolchildren who already struggle with their study on account of poverty and poor teaching at schools. The more vulnerable among them are also deprived of home tutoring by their parents because in most cases the elders are not literate enough to help their children.

According to the UNICEF Children’s Climate Risk Index, children in this country find themselves among the most vulnerable and exposed to climate turmoil and environmental hazards anywhere in the world. When in normal conditions, children are deprived of an enabling educational environment, in crisis periods induced by adverse climate their studies become a more daunting proposition. Even some of the talented and promising students, the UNICEF observes, have to drop out on account of natural disasters.

Heatwaves: The Primary Culprit

Heatwaves were identified as the leading climate hazard affecting education, with a staggering 171 million children globally facing disruptions. April 2024 saw the highest level of impact, with 118 million students affected worldwide. India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, and the Philippines were among the hardest-hit countries.

In South Asia, the heatwaves peaked during the summer months, with April witnessing a record-breaking number of school closures. India saw temperatures soar above 45 degrees Celsius in several states, making it unsafe for children to attend school. Schools in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Delhi were forced to shut down for weeks, severely disrupting the academic calendar. The extreme heat not only resulted in lost instructional hours but also posed health risks to children, with reports of heat-related illnesses among students.

“Children are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate crises, including stronger and more frequent heatwaves, storms, droughts, and floods,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “We must act urgently to build climate-resilient education systems to protect their future.”

India’s Education System Faces Severe Challenges

India’s vast student population suffered due to intense and prolonged heatwaves, which disrupted regular school operations, leading to shortened school hours, postponed academic sessions, and in some cases, the destruction of infrastructure. Many schools, especially in rural areas, lack the resources to cope with extreme heat, such as proper ventilation, cooling systems, and access to clean drinking water. This disproportionately affected marginalised communities, where children rely heavily on schools for meals and a safe learning environment.

The Indian government, in collaboration with UNICEF, has initiated climate resilience programs such as the Comprehensive School Safety Programme (CSSP) across 12 states to mitigate the impact of such hazards. These programs focus on improving infrastructure, training teachers to handle emergencies, and incorporating climate awareness into the curriculum.

Despite these efforts, millions of students faced interruptions in their education, posing long-term risks to their learning outcomes and overall well-being. The report indicates that in April 2024 alone, over 35 million students in Bangladesh and 54 million in India faced school disruptions.

Regional Disparities in Climate-Related Disruptions

While South Asia bore the brunt of the crisis, other regions were not spared. East Asia and the Pacific saw 50 million students affected, largely due to heatwaves and tropical cyclones. Latin America and the Caribbean faced a mix of heatwaves, floods, and storms, disrupting education for 30 million students. In Africa, droughts caused by El Niño conditions exacerbated the existing education crisis, with over 20 million children at risk of dropping out.

The report also found that 74% of the affected students were in low- and lower-middle-income countries, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions to support vulnerable communities. In Africa, prolonged drought conditions in countries such as Zimbabwe and Kenya forced children to walk long distances in search of water, often missing school as a result. In other parts of the world, floods and tropical cyclones wreaked havoc, damaging school infrastructure and displacing thousands of families.

UNICEF has called on governments, policymakers, and educational institutions to prioritise climate resilience in education planning. The organisation recommends:

• Infrastructure Resilience: Investing in climate-proof school buildings and ensuring access to remote learning solutions during school closures.
• Teacher Training: Equipping educators with the knowledge and tools to address climate change impacts in the classroom.
• Policy Integration: Incorporating climate change education into national curricula to raise awareness and foster preparedness among students.

In India, the National Curriculum Framework has already begun incorporating climate change elements, thanks to UNICEF’s advocacy efforts. Additionally, a national teacher training module focused on climate education is set to be finalised in March 2025.

Long-Term Impact on Children

The impact of climate disruptions on children’s education goes beyond missed classes. Studies have shown that interruptions in schooling can lead to higher dropout rates, lower academic performance, and increased child labour and early marriage rates, particularly among girls. In South Asia, many families struggling with climate-induced economic hardships often prioritise work over education, leading to long-term consequences for children’s futures.

For adolescent girls, the risks are even greater. In regions where child marriage is prevalent, school closures provide an opportunity for families to marry off their daughters earlier than planned. The UNICEF report warns that climate-related disruptions are reversing years of progress in promoting girls’ education and gender equality.

As climate hazards continue to pose a significant threat to education, UNICEF urges immediate action to safeguard children’s right to learn. The organisation warns that without comprehensive interventions, the frequency and intensity of climate-related disruptions will continue to rise, deepening the global learning crisis.

“Education is one of the most frequently disrupted services due to climate-related events, yet it remains overlooked in policy discussions,” the report notes. “Investing in climate-resilient education systems is crucial for the future of millions of children.”

With South Asia at the forefront of this crisis, India has an opportunity to lead by example in implementing sustainable and scalable solutions that ensure uninterrupted learning for its students despite the growing climate challenges. By investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, fostering public-private partnerships, and empowering local communities, India can mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on education.