African children can thrive amid climate chaos

Announcements to effect that schools had to delay opening due to serious flooding was the highlight of the link between extreme weather and education.

Parents and guardians had to readjust and stay with their children longer, as schools budgeted with shorter time to complete the preset syllabus, and reallocate their meagre funds to repairing damaged infrastructure such as classrooms and latrines. Broadly, government funds that could have been directed to development were redirected to roads and bridges repairs, with then Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen estimating the cost of restoration of damaged roads alone at $286 million (Sh37.3 billion).

This situation, largely blamed on El Niño, the Indian Ocean Dipole (linked to warmer ocean temperatures caused by climate change) and high sea surface temperatures (also linked to climate change) was not unique to Kenya. In South Sudan schools were closed for weeks due to high temperatures. Some students risked their health to sit national exams under extreme heatwaves.

At the same time Somalia experienced severe drought that cost livelihoods and worsened the preexisting water stress. With a resultant food insecurity forcing families to prioritise survival over education, school absenteeism and dropout rates increased.

Parts of West and Central Africa reported regular temperatures above 35C, straining children’s physical health and making learning environments unbearable. The results were not different from those in Sudan and Southern Sudan. The aftermath was an evident climate-induced educational disruption, besides the other usual effects. It exposed the vulnerability of Africa’s education sector to vagaries of climate change. According to a UNICEF report, in 2024, at least 242 million children worldwide missed school due to extreme weather events. Africa got half of this number, showing just how children in low-income countries are disproportionately affected by climate change. Many schools in low-income countries still use pit latrines, and mud-walled classrooms, some with roofs easily blown off in times of storms.

The rainy season will be back. Several Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports indicate the likelihood of more frequent and intense extreme weather events in Africa. Any such educational disruptions means a worsening of the preexisting inequalities, and worse socioeconomic development for Africa.

They say prevention is better than cure, and there is a lot, including tree planting, that is done to mitigate. But that’s not necessarily for the benefit of the current generation. As Africa therefore prioritises adaptation, with more push for reparation from wealthier nations, one other solution is implementing laws that ensure integration of climate action in educational systems. From a tender age, children need to know what they are dealing with in terms of climate change, and be encouraged to be creative to find local solutions.

Nations must invest in climate-resilient infrastructure in schools for them to withstand extreme weather. The learning must also involve teachers, and communities through tailor-made content. Furthermore, regional collaboration among African nations can facilitate the sharing of best practices and resources. An African framework for climate education can be championed by the African Union.

Addressing climate induced educational disruptions will significantly enhance Africa’s ability to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), though not necessarily by 2030. We must endeavour to reduce educational inequalities caused by environmental shocks.

Education is a strong tool for economic empowerment. Extreme weather must not bar any child from school. Africa’s children must thrive.

The writer advocates climate justice. Lynnno16@gmail.com