A report jointly released by the Global Partnership for Education and the World Bank has highlighted the dual threat posed by rising temperatures and heat waves—not only to the environment but also to the education of millions of children around the globe.
The report, titled, ‘Too Hot to Learn: The Impact of Climate Change on Education’, warns that by 2050, nearly 2.2 billion children worldwide will face frequent exposure to heat waves.
It calls for urgent investment in climate-resilient schools and education systems to safeguard children’s right to learn in safe and conducive environments.
“Climate change has psychologically and physically affected our learning. It is also making the school environment unhealthier day by day,” said Prakash, an 18-year-old student from Nepal.
Heat waves, intensified by climate change, are becoming more severe and prolonged, presenting a significant challenge to education, especially in regions with inadequate infrastructure.
Many schools in low- and middle-income countries struggle with poor ventilation, a lack of cooling systems, and limited access to safe drinking water, making classrooms unbearable during extreme heat.
In some instances, governments are forced to choose between keeping schools open or closing them temporarily, disrupting learning.
For example, in May 2024, a heat wave in Pakistan led to the closure of schools, leaving over half of the country’s school-age population—26 million children—out of classrooms.
Similarly, in South Sudan, schools were shut in April as temperatures soared to 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit), affecting 2.2 million students. Bangladesh, India, and the Philippines have also faced widespread school closures due to extreme heat.
These heat waves are now arriving earlier, intensifying, and lasting longer, leaving schools unprepared to manage their impact.
For children in humanitarian crises—already grappling with climate change, conflict, and displacement—the situation is even more dire.
Education in these vulnerable communities serves as a critical lifeline, but the increasing frequency of heat waves disrupts access to quality learning.
Even when schools remain open during heat waves, learning outcomes often suffer.
High temperatures and dehydration hinder children’s concentration, memory, and processing abilities, negatively affecting academic performance.
A survey in South Asia found that 78 percent of students reported disruptions to their studies due to climate change, citing issues like reduced focus during heat waves, damage to school infrastructure, and difficulties in commuting to school.
Despite the urgency, many countries remain underprepared to address the crisis.
A 2023 UNICEF survey revealed that among 40 nations identified as high-risk for children’s exposure to climate change, only a third had taken concrete action to integrate climate resilience into education.
In response, governments, supported by UNICEF, GPE, and other partners, are working to fortify schools and education systems against climate impacts.
These measures include upgrading infrastructure with improved ventilation and cooling systems, training teachers in climate-resilient practices and emergency preparedness, and implementing policy reforms to embed climate resilience into education planning.
Additionally, efforts are being made to engage children and young people in climate-smart initiatives and advocacy while promoting green skills.
However, progress is slow: only 8 percent of countries report delivering climate education to at least 70 percent of their students or providing climate-related professional development for teachers.
To ensure every child can learn in a safe environment, free from climate threats, significant investments in climate-resilient education systems are imperative.
These actions will not only protect children’s right to education but also prepare future generations to confront and mitigate the challenges of climate change.
