Climate change poses a significant threat to the education of millions of children, as evidenced by the recent heatwave that swept across Asia, leading to widespread school closures.
While some regions experienced relief from seasonal rainfall, experts express concern that such challenges will exacerbate with severe implications for education.
Temperatures in Asia are rising at a faster rate than the global average, accompanied by increased humidity, resulting in heavy rainfall and floods that can damage or shut down schools.
Additionally, rising temperatures can fuel forest fires and elevate pollution levels, further necessitating school closures, as observed in countries like India and Australia.
In Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, 13-year-old Mohua Aktar Noor illustrates this reality. Since her school closed, she has struggled in the stifling confines of her home.
With frequent power outages, Mohua cannot rely on a fan for relief. She describes the unbearable heat and the challenge of studying at home without access to school resources.
This scenario is not unique to Bangladesh, according to Shumon Sengupta, national director of Save the Children. He highlights the prolonged duration of high temperatures in the region.
Salwa Aleryani, a health specialist at UNICEF for East Asia and the Pacific, emphasizes the serious consequences of school closures, especially for children in disadvantaged communities lacking access to essential resources like computers and books.
