Education On The Brink

1 min read

The global climate crisis is wreaking havoc on education systems, leaving millions of children vulnerable to a future of uncertainty. Across the world, 242 million students experienced disruptions to their education in 2024 due to climate-induced hazards, as detailed in Unicef’s Global Snapshot of Climate-Related School Disruptions in 2024. Among the countries hardest hit, Pakistan stands as a stark example, with over 26 million children affected this year alone.

In South Asia, a region disproportionately affected, 128 million children had their schooling disrupted. Heatwaves, the most frequent and devastating hazard, not only forced school closures but also rendered classrooms inoperable due to unbearable conditions. The month of April, in particular, saw record-breaking heatwaves that affected millions of students, with dehydration and heat stress making it impossible for children to focus on learning. Pakistan’s case is particularly alarming. The combination of extreme heat, floods and recurring natural disasters has turned schools into collateral damage in the climate crisis. Classrooms have been destroyed, repurposed as emergency shelters or abandoned altogether. Even when schools remain operational, deplorable conditions have created an untenable environment for both students and teachers. Economic hardships exacerbate these issues, with families pulling children – particularly girls – out of school to prioritise survival. This global education crisis demands urgent action. Schools in vulnerable countries, including Pakistan, must be equipped with climate-resilient infrastructure. Solar-powered cooling systems and sustainable materials should become standard, while remote learning systems must be developed to ensure continuity during disasters. Beyond infrastructure, there is a pressing need to integrate climate education into national curricula worldwide.

The international community has a critical role to play in addressing this crisis. Climate finance must prioritise education, ensuring that resources are directed toward building resilient systems in the most vulnerable regions. Developed countries have a moral obligation to support nations like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in protecting their children’s futures.

Editorial published in the Express Tribune on 27th January 2025

Previous Story

Aseefa Breaks Ground On Peoples School

Next Story

Three Rape Suspects Arrested

Latest from Blog

Experts Call For Industry-academia Linkages To Promote Practical Education

SUKKUR: Every schoolteacher should foster students’ confidence by integrating STEAM education opportunities into their classrooms. Providing the right platforms will unlock their potential and enhance their abilities. “I strongly believe in empowering the young minds of Sukkur to become the scientists and innovators of tomorrow,” said Commissioner Sukkur Fayaz Hussain…

School Peon Arrested For Allegedly Molesting Teenage Boy

TAXILA: A man was arrested in Hasan Abdal for allegedly molesting a teenage boy on the school premises, police sources said on 13th February. According to police sources, a complainant told the police that his 13-year-old brother worked at a furniture market adjacent to the school. On Thursday, the suspect,…

Swabi Man Dies Of Suicide After Killing Four Children

SWABI: In a gory incident, a man slaughtered his four minor children and later committed suicide here on 13th February, the police and rescue officials said. When contacted, SHO Yar Hussain police station Abdul Wali Khan said that when they reached the house, the dead bodies were lying in a…

Girls’ Education

A RECENTLY held conference in Islamabad on the aforesaid subject is a valuable move to address the appalling condition of girls’ education in most Muslim societies. The conclusion of Clandon and his colleagues’ study of Muslim societies (2018) tells us what is obvious, that “At the global level, Muslim women…

Poor Results Of Govt School Students Trigger Protests In GB

GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan government has been facing severe criticism over the poor education standard in public schools after most students in grades five and eight failed the regional exams. The poor results have also triggered protests across GB. The result of the exam, conducted by the Board of Elementary Examination…
Go toTop