Preparing for El Niño: Keeping teachers and learners safe during climate disasters

Time

3:00 pm

About

El Niño and La Niña are climate patterns in the Pacific Ocean that can affect weather worldwide. They can both have global impacts on weather, wildfires, ecosystems, and economies. This year’s El Niño is expected to be moderate to severe, with far‑reaching implications for education systems across affected regions. The impacts of climate disasters extend well beyond lost school days. In fragile contexts, prolonged closures result in higher rates of school dropout, higher risk of child labour and child marriage, and greater exposure to gender-based violence – with girls disproportionately impacted. The stakes are therefore not only about learning continuity, but about equity and protection.

The emerging El Niño forecast offers the sector something it rarely has: lead time. Forecasts issued months in advance mean that preparedness, not only response, is genuinely possible if stakeholders act early. In response, this event aims to bring together practitioners, policymakers and partners to anticipate  impacts and to exchange practical strategies for safeguarding learning continuity. Following brief expert presentations, participants will share their own experiences, challenges and preparedness plans to strengthen collective readiness.