A recent report by the World Bank revealed that approximately 404 million students worldwide have been impacted by climate-related school closures from January 2022 to June 2024. The closures were attributed to at least 81 countries temporarily shutting down schools due to various climate-related disasters such as floods, storms, and heatwaves. The report highlighted that the effects of climate change, particularly floods, have led to significant school closures, with disruptions often going unnoticed due to the lack of official tracking.
In Nigeria, recent floods caused by the overflow of the Alau Dam in Borno State displaced nearly two million people in Maiduguri and surrounding areas, leading to students missing 53 school days in some regions. The impact of flooding in Nigeria was further detailed in a report that indicated around 1.3 million Nigerians were affected by flooding between July and October 2022, with states like Bayelsa, Delta, Anambra, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Jigawa being severely affected.
The report stressed the importance of education in addressing climate change, stating that while education can drive climate action, climate change is also hindering education. It emphasized that climate-related school closures contribute to learning losses and dropouts, with the frequency and severity of closures increasing due to climate change. The report called for governments to take steps to adapt education systems for climate change by improving skills, integrating climate education, and prioritizing green skills and innovation in education.
Furthermore, the report highlighted the role of education in increasing climate awareness and empowering individuals with green skills for both new and existing jobs. It underscored the need for a broader range of green skills, including technical, STEM, and socio-emotional skills, to address the challenges posed by climate change. Education was identified as a key factor in driving climate action and fostering innovation to combat the global climate crisis.