April 2024 saw an unprecedented number of global school disruptions due to climate-related events, with heatwaves alone impacting over 118 million children in India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Thailand, according to UNICEF.
In India, the most severely affected country, over 54 million students experienced disruptions, largely driven by intense heatwaves. This extreme weather has been identified as the leading climate hazard impacting schools.
“India is highly vulnerable to climate change, ranking 26th out of 163 nations in the UNICEF Children’s Climate Risk Index for 2021,” UNICEF noted. The organization pointed out that rapid-onset climate disasters such as flooding, landslides, and cyclones have repeatedly damaged schools. Additionally, environmental stressors like extreme heat and air pollution continue to threaten children’s health and hinder their education.
In response to these challenges, UNICEF highlighted that the Indian government has incorporated climate change topics into the National Curriculum Framework (NCF). At the state level, the organization is also supporting the implementation of Comprehensive School Safety Programmes (CSSP) in 12 states. These programs focus on ensuring safe learning environments and empowering students to become agents of change.
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