Climate-related disasters disrupted the education of millions of African children in 2026, with storms, floods, droughts and extreme heat forcing schools to close or reducing attendance, according to a new UNICEF analysis.
The report found that more than 171 million students globally had their schooling disrupted by climate hazards last year. Three-quarters of affected students lived in low- and lower-middle-income countries, where education systems often have fewer resources to protect schools and maintain learning during emergencies.
Africa was among the regions heavily affected. About 4.07 million students in Niger, 3.8 million in South Sudan, 3.32 million in Malawi and 1.54 million in Somalia experienced climate-related disruptions to their education.
UNICEF warned that repeated school closures and damaged infrastructure can increase absenteeism and the risk of children dropping out. Girls face additional pressure when climate shocks increase household responsibilities, including caregiving and collecting water.
The findings add education to the growing list of essential services being disrupted by increasingly severe climate shocks across Africa.
