- UNICEF says climate hazards disrupted schooling for more than 171 million students worldwide in 2025.
- Storms, floods and heatwaves caused widespread closures, suspensions and other interruptions across education systems.
- Children in poorer countries faced the greatest risks as schools struggled to withstand repeated shocks.
More than 171 million students globally, or one in 10, from pre-primary to upper secondary age had their schooling disrupted by climate hazards in 2025, according to a new analysis by UNICEF.
The report, Learning Interrupted: Global Snapshot of Climate-Related School Disruptions in 2025, analysed data from 106 countries and territories.
It found that storms, floods, heatwaves, droughts and wildfires led to suspended classes, damaged schools, shifts to remote learning, shortened instructional time, reduced school attendance and increased risks of students dropping out.
“For millions of children, climate hazards do more than disrupt lessons, they destroy schools, uproot families, and push the most vulnerable children, especially girls, out of the classroom for good,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said.
According to the analysis, storms were the most common cause of school disruptions in 2025, affecting 109 million students globally.
Floods affected at least 70 million students, while heatwaves disrupted schooling for approximately 50 million children.
The effects were particularly severe where schools and communities lacked infrastructure capable of withstanding extreme weather.
“My school is right next to a creek, and when there is flooding, the water rises and flows into the school,” said 16-year-old Taudibura Garo from Papua New Guinea.
“Usually, the water comes up to our knees and floods the pit toilets, then it becomes unhealthy for us to stay at school, and we miss the lessons we are supposed to learn.”
While students across all income levels were affected, three-quarters of those whose education was disrupted live in low- and lower-middle-income countries, where education systems often lack resources needed to protect learning during climate-related emergencies.
Pakistan was among the countries most severely affected. Severe monsoon floods in August delayed the return to school for more than 28 million students, making it one of the largest climate-related education disruptions recorded in 2025.
In Egypt, a powerful Khamsin wind and dust storm prompted a nationwide suspension of classes for one day in April, affecting more than 28 million students.
Countries face repeated climate disruptions
UNICEF said 40 countries experienced multiple rounds of climate-related school disruptions during the year.
Madagascar faced drought, tropical cyclones and floods that affected about 280,000 students.
In Spain, more than 500,000 students in the Valencian Community were affected by storms in March, followed by further weather-related disruptions later in the year.
Thousands of students elsewhere in the country also faced interruptions caused by extreme heat and storms.
UNICEF warned that disruption to education can have consequences extending far beyond missed classroom time.
Learning losses and increased school dropout rates can reduce workforce productivity, slow economic growth and make it harder for countries to reduce poverty.
The report estimates that failure to address the problem could result in at least US$200 billion in lost lifetime earnings among students who experienced climate-related school disruptions in 2025.
Girls face particular risks when climate hazards force schools to close.
Damage to schools and sanitation facilities, displacement and declining family incomes can increase caregiving and water-collection responsibilities placed on girls.
UNICEF said these pressures can also increase the risk of child marriage, making it more difficult for girls to return to school after institutions reopen.
UNICEF calls for resilient schools
The report highlights measures that governments and education systems can take to protect learning, including integrating climate resilience into national education planning and strengthening school infrastructure.
It also recommends ensuring continuity of learning during and after emergencies and incorporating climate education into curricula to equip children and young people with skills to adapt to a changing environment.
UNICEF is calling for increased domestic and international financing for education resilience, greater investment in climate-resilient school infrastructure and stronger climate and education data systems.
The agency also wants governments to equip children and young people with knowledge and skills to strengthen resilience and participate in climate action.
“Climate hazards threaten children’s lives and futures,” Russell said.
“To protect education for children today and for future generations, we must invest in schools and education systems that are built to withstand climate shocks.”
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UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Report 2026, released in June, found that nearly half of the world’s children, or 1.1 billion, are exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards that threaten their health, education and survival.
By Joseph Mambili
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