**Title: Climate Hazards Disrupt Education for 171 Million Students Globally in 2025, Reports UNICEF**
In a stark revelation, UNICEF reported that one in ten students worldwide experienced interruptions to their education due to climate hazards in 2025. The findings, detailed in the report titled "Learning Interrupted: Global Snapshot of Climate-Related School Disruptions in 2025," indicate that over 171 million students, ranging from pre-primary to upper secondary levels, were affected by various climate-related events.
The report, released on September 10, 2026, analyzed data from 106 countries and territories, highlighting the pervasive impact of climate change on education systems. Among the affected students, girls were found to be disproportionately impacted, facing unique challenges that hinder their educational opportunities.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized the severe consequences of climate hazards, stating, "For millions of children, climate hazards do not just disrupt classes; they also destroy their schools, uproot their families and deprive the most vulnerable." The report noted that 75% of the affected children reside in low- and lower-middle-income countries, where educational infrastructures often lack the necessary resources to adapt to climate emergencies.
The disruptions were attributed to various climate events, including storms, floods, heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires. Storms were identified as the leading cause of school interruptions, affecting approximately 109 million students. Floods impacted at least 70 million children, while heatwaves disrupted the education of around 50 million.
UNICEF's analysis revealed a decrease in the number of affected students compared to the previous year, when nearly 250 million children in 85 countries faced similar disruptions. This change in figures is partly due to a revised methodology that relied on data from aid agencies and local media rather than solely on government statistics.
The report also highlighted the long-term implications of these disruptions, estimating that inaction could lead to a staggering $200 billion in lost lifetime earnings for students whose education was interrupted by climate-related hazards in 2025 alone. This underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change on education.
Particularly concerning is the effect of climate hazards on girls' education. The report noted that girls are more likely to drop out of school due to increased risks associated with insecurity, unsafe learning environments, and the pressures of child marriage. Damage to schools and sanitation facilities, along with displacement and loss of family income, can exacerbate these challenges, placing additional caregiving and water-collection responsibilities on girls. Such pressures can hinder their ability to return to school once classes resume.
In light of these findings, UNICEF is calling on governments and their partners to invest more in building educational facilities that are resilient to climate and environmental hazards. The agency emphasizes that strengthening educational infrastructure is crucial to ensuring that children can continue their learning in the face of climate challenges.
As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, the education sector must adapt to protect the future of millions of children. The findings from UNICEF's report serve as a clarion call for urgent action to safeguard education and ensure that all children, particularly the most vulnerable, have access to safe and uninterrupted learning environments.