Students in the Philippines are no strangers to dealing with extreme heat, with nearly half of the classrooms in Manila remaining empty at the start of a school week due to a weather advisory. In 2024, over 242 million students worldwide had their education disrupted by extreme weather, including heatwaves, tropical cyclones, and droughts. However, Filipino students are not alone in this struggle, as many are facing similar challenges in low and lower-middle income countries.

The disruption of education due to extreme weather can have life-long effects on students, as it not only affects their academic progress but also their mental health. This is an issue that many education experts argue needs to be addressed if schools are to become more climate resilient.

One approach is to implement contingency plans in the event of a disaster, which could include moving classes to a different location or altering the school calendar to avoid months when extreme weather is more common. Climate-proofing the schools themselves and incorporating information about climate change into the curriculum are also important steps in making students more resilient.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/when-school-is-out-because-of-extreme-weather/a-71850374?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf