Strengthening the Caribbean education sector through climate finance

Save the Children is collaborating with the Climate Finance Access Network and the NAP Global Network to enable education ministries across the Caribbean to access new funding to make education systems more resilient. 

Children’s education is at risk due to extreme weather events like heatwaves and flooding destroying and damaging schools and learning materials, and turning schools into shelters for those displaced. Accelerated by climate change, these shocks can further restrict access to education for children – especially girls – as they often lead to increases in gender-based violence, forced early marriage, and greater domestic responsibilities. 

Climate change is increasing these challenges which disrupt children’s right to safety and education. A remarkable one in seven children had their education affected by climate hazards in 2024 alone, with heatwaves being the most disruptive. This is particularly concerning as students are showing lower learning outcomes during hot school years compared to cooler years. 

Despite 20 countries facing nation-wide education interruptions in 2024, the education sector is still overlooked in policy discussions, leaving schools ill-prepared to deal with the impacts of climate change on learning. 

Read the article here.