In 2024, at least 242 million students in 85 countries experienced educational disruptions because of extreme weather events, including heat waves, tropical cyclones, storms, floods and droughts. “Learning interrupted: Global snapshot of climate-related school disruptions in 2024” is a Unicef study that examines climate-related hazards that resulted in school closures or significant learning disruptions, and the resulting impact on children from pre-school to upper secondary school.

Last year, schools were closed mainly because of heat waves, with over 118 million students affected in April alone.

Almost 74% of the students affected last year were in low- and middle-income countries, but no region was spared. Torrential rain and floods hit Italy and Spain, preventing a total of 913,000 children from attending lessons.

South Asia was the worst affected region in the world, with 128 million students facing climate-related school interruptions.

The Report is available on the Unicef website.

Further materials and news can be found on this site under Education and Environment, accessible from the “Topics” navigation menu.