The World Bank has called on governments of countries impacted by severe flooding to take immediate measures to prevent future occurrences, as at least 404 million students globally have been unable to access schools due to climate-related issues between January 2022 and June 2024.
In a report titled “Choosing Our Future: Education for Climate Action,” the World Bank highlighted those 81 countries, including Nigeria, have temporarily shut down schools due to floods, storms, and heatwaves. The report emphasizes the alarming impact climate change is having on global education, particularly in low-income countries where the effects are more severe.
The report noted that climate change, including floods, is causing significant school closures, yet these disruptions remain largely unnoticed because relevant authorities are not tracking them. This comes as Nigeria battles intense flooding, particularly in Maiduguri, where the overflow of the Alau Dam has displaced nearly two million residents. The flooding has forced several schools to close, further disrupting education in the region.
The World Bank’s findings reveal that between January 2022 and June 2024, 404 million students worldwide faced school closures due to extreme weather events, with floods being a major cause. The report also warns that the frequency and severity of these school closures are expected to increase as climate change continues to exacerbate extreme weather events.
The report reads, “Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as cyclones, floods, droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires, which are disrupting schooling and contributing to learning losses and dropouts.”
The World Bank also stresses that education plays a critical role in combating climate change, noting that better-educated people are more resilient and adaptable. However, education systems themselves are under threat due to climate-related disruptions, particularly in lower-income countries. The report estimates that, on average, affected schools lost 11 days of instruction per year due to climate-related closures, with low-income countries losing an average of 18 days.
The report suggests that for less than $20 per student, schools can adapt to minimize learning losses caused by climate-related closures. These adaptations include temperature control measures, infrastructure improvements, remote learning capabilities, and teacher training.
“Governments must act now to adapt education systems to climate change. Education is the key to addressing climate-related gaps in skills, knowledge, and innovation, all of which are necessary to drive effective climate action,” the report concluded.
As flooding continues to impact education in Nigeria, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has also reported that students in some parts of the country missed 53 school days due to flooding between July and October 2022. Severely affected states include Bayelsa, Delta, Anambra, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Jigawa.
The World Bank’s report underscores the urgency for governments to implement measures that protect schools from the effects of climate change and ensure that students can continue their education despite environmental challenges.