The Impact of Covid-19 and Climate Crisis on Children’s Education
As the world continues to grapple with the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and extreme weather events, a staggering 130 million children in 22 countries are still out of school, according to the aid organization Save the Children.
The Covid-19 pandemic, coupled with the impact of climate change, has widened the learning gap over time, Save the Children asserts. Despite being five years since the crisis began, 130 million children in the most affected countries are still deprived of education, primarily due to prolonged school closures.
Closures Lasting for Years
Save the Children’s analysis of access to education in 30 countries with extended school closures due to the pandemic reveals a grim reality for many children. Some countries like the Philippines, Bangladesh, Mexico, and Honduras have faced closures linked to climate crisis impacts such as floods and heat waves.
Long-term Effects on Children’s Education
The prolonged shutdown of schools since March 2020 to curb the virus has had lasting repercussions on children’s education. Data shows that countries with extended closures experienced significant learning losses, with the Philippines enduring one of the longest school lockdowns, spanning over 520 school days according to UNESCO.
Climate Crisis Disruptions
Approximately 28 million students have faced additional disruptions due to the climate crisis, preventing them from attending school due to extreme weather events like heatwaves and typhoons. A government study found that students lost 32 school days in the 2023-2024 academic year due to severe weather conditions.
Ongoing Risks
Save the Children’s analysis reveals that globally, 404 million children in 81 countries experienced disruptions in education due to climate crisis events. The frequency of extreme weather events impacting education is expected to rise, putting half of the world’s children at extreme risk.
Challenges of Remote Learning
While remote learning can be a solution, the lack of internet access for two-thirds of school-aged children worldwide poses a significant challenge. Save the Children emphasizes that many children who miss school repeatedly struggle to catch up, increasing the likelihood of dropping out.
During the pandemic, Save the Children provided remote learning materials to support students and collaborated with organizations to enhance the resilience of education in the face of climate change. The road ahead remains challenging, but with collective efforts, we can ensure every child has access to quality education despite the obstacles.
