Climate change disrupts education of 130 million children in Africa, report finds
Extreme weather events have disrupted the education of millions of children across Eastern and Southern Africa, undermining learning outcomes and long-term economic prospects, according to a report from the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef).
Its report Protecting Children’s Learning Futures: Quantifying Climate-Related Loss and Damage in Eastern and Southern Africa, sets out how climate events such as floods, droughts and cyclones are damaging school infrastructure, interrupting learning, and forcing many children out of education altogether.
It estimates that the effects of climate change have cost US$1.3bn in education system infrastructure damage, and that climate-related education disruptions have affected 130 million children in the region and will cost up to US$140bn in projected lifetime income losses.
“Without urgent action to build more resilient education systems, these impacts will worsen as climate shocks become more frequent and severe,” Unicef said. It estimates that 520 million children could be affected by 2050, equating to future income losses of US$380bn.
“Children are paying the highest price for a crisis they did not create. For the first time, this report shows the scale of climate-related loss and damage to education, yet the impact on children remain largely invisible in financing decisions,” said Etleva Kadilli, Unicef regional director for Eastern and Southern Africa. “This must change.”
Read more: Scientists call for internationally mandated assessment of climate change risks
Rural communities, girls, and low-income families disproportionately affected
The report highlights how repeated disruptions are compounding in countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Somalia and Zambia where education systems are already compromised by poverty, inequality and limited ability to access services.
Schools are frequently forced to close, reduce hours, or operate in unsafe or inadequate conditions as a result of extreme weather events.
For example, climate events like the El Niño induced drought across Southern Africa between 2023 and 2024 left millions without reliable access to food, water or electricity, forcing schools to close or scale back operations and having a sustained impact on pupil attendance, retention, and overall learning outcomes.
The report notes that rural communities, girls, and children from low-income households are disproportionately affected, and that climate shocks often push families into difficult coping strategies. In some cases, children are forced to leave school to support household incomes, and girls face higher risks of early marriage.
Call for more funding to build resilient education systems
Unicef highlights that less than 1.5% of global climate finance is allocated to education, limiting governments’ ability to invest in more resilient infrastructure.
It argues that investing in education systems to make them more resilient to climate shocks not only protects children’s right to learn but also delivers strong economic returns by preserving productivity. Measures to strengthen school infrastructure, improve water and sanitation systems, and integrate climate risk into education planning can aid in reducing the impact of shocks, it says.
The report also stresses that governments should invest in more flexible and adaptive education systems, including teacher training, digital learning platforms, and social protection measures that allow families to keep children in school during crises.
“The findings highlight the urgent need to strengthen climate-resilient education systems and scale up financing to address loss and damage,” Unicef said. “Investing in resilience not only protects children’s right to learn, but also safeguards future human development and economic growth across the region.”
Read more: COP28 climate summit just approved a ‘loss and damage’ fund. What does this mean?
About Annalee Card
Annalee is a St. Lawrence University student perusing a degree in Business & Digital Media with a minor in Sports Studies & Exercise Science. As part of the St. Lawrence London Program, Annalee is interning with Global Government Forum where she supports event coordination and media initiatives. She has previously gained experience working with organizations like the Northeastern New York PGA and Blood Cancer United. She is a dual sport athlete competing on both the St. Lawrence NCAA DIII women's golf and field hockey teams.
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