Global School Closures Due to Extreme Heat Impacting Student Learning
As temperatures rise, education systems worldwide face challenges with increasing school closures affecting millions of students.
- More than 40 million students globally have been affected by school closures due to extreme heat, particularly in Asia and North Africa.
- Heatwaves, intensified by climate change, are causing longer and more severe temperature spikes, disrupting traditional education models.
- In areas without adequate school facilities, such as air conditioning, students' ability to learn and perform on tests is significantly diminished.
- Experts warn that prolonged exposure to high temperatures can widen educational disparities between developed and developing nations.
- Decisions on school closures are increasingly being made at the local level, with some regions considering extended closures or alternative schooling schedules.