Climate disruption affects the education of more than 171 million students

Friday 11 September 2026 - 17:47

By: Azzat Manal

Climate disruption affects the education of more than 171 million students

Extreme weather is increasingly disrupting not only communities and economies but also children’s access to education. In 2025, more than 171 million students worldwide experienced interruptions to their schooling because of climate-related events, according to a UNICEF analysis covering 106 countries and territories.

Storms, floods, heatwaves, droughts and wildfires are placing growing pressure on education systems, forcing schools to close, reducing teaching time and, in some cases, pushing students toward remote learning. The scale of the disruption highlights how climate change is becoming an increasingly important challenge for educational continuity.

Storms were among the most significant causes of disruption, affecting an estimated 109 million students. Flooding interrupted the education of around 70 million children, while extreme heat affected approximately 50 million. These figures can overlap, as children may be exposed to several climate-related events during the same period.

The impact goes beyond temporary school closures. Repeated disruptions can lead to missed lessons, weaker academic progress and difficulties in returning to regular education. In areas where extreme weather events occur frequently, prolonged interruptions can increase the risk of students falling behind or eventually leaving school altogether.

The burden is particularly heavy in countries with limited resources. UNICEF estimates that nearly three-quarters of the affected students live in low-income or lower-middle-income countries, where schools and education systems may have fewer resources to prepare for disasters, protect infrastructure or resume classes quickly after an emergency.

Climate-related disruption can therefore deepen existing inequalities in education. Schools in vulnerable communities may lack climate-resistant buildings, reliable electricity, safe water supplies or alternative learning systems, making it harder for children to continue studying when extreme weather strikes.

The economic consequences could also extend far beyond the classroom. According to UNICEF, learning losses and increased school dropout linked to climate-related disruptions could result in at least $200 billion in lost lifetime earnings among affected students. This suggests that protecting education from climate shocks is not only a social priority but also a long-term economic investment.

Girls may face additional risks when climate emergencies interrupt schooling. In some communities, prolonged school closures can increase household responsibilities, including caregiving and collecting water, while displacement and financial pressure can further reduce their chances of returning to school. Such pressures can reinforce existing barriers to girls’ education and increase the likelihood of permanent dropout.

The findings underline the need for governments to make climate resilience a central part of education policy. UNICEF has called for greater investment in schools capable of withstanding extreme weather, as well as stronger emergency planning, better preparedness and sufficient funding to maintain learning during crises.

Building resilient education systems could help ensure that disasters do not permanently interrupt children’s academic development. As extreme weather becomes an increasingly persistent challenge, keeping schools open and learning accessible will be essential to protecting both educational opportunities and the long-term social and economic prospects of younger generations.