How Schools Are Embracing Climate Change: The Shift to Early Holidays and Growing Student Engagement

MANILA, Philippines — In the sweltering heat of Manila, kindergarten teacher Lolita Akim battles against rising temperatures to keep her young students engaged. With five standing fans running and three more on standby, she is determined to capture their attention, even as they sweat through a challenging day.

Last year was unprecedented: heatwaves forced millions of Filipino children out of the classroom for extended periods. The country saw its first major school closures due to extreme temperatures, making it clear that changes were necessary. This school year, classes began two months earlier and have been restructured to avoid the hottest parts of the day. Schools have also upgraded facilities with fans and water stations to ensure students stay hydrated.

Akim understands the impact of the heat on learning. “They get so sweaty and fidgety. It’s hard to keep them focused,” she says, referring to her energetic five-year-olds at the Senator Benigno S. Aquino Elementary School.

The toll of last year’s heatwave was staggering. Approximately six million students lost up to two weeks of education as temperatures soared to 38.8 degrees Celsius (101.4 degrees Fahrenheit). Cases of heat exhaustion and other heat-related issues were reported in schools, highlighting the urgent need for effective responses to such climate challenges.

Experts emphasize that extreme heat is a symptom of climate change, primarily driven by the burning of fossil fuels. The last year’s situation was made worse by the El Niño phenomenon, which affects global weather patterns.

This year, nearly half of Manila’s schools faced closure for two days in March due to dangerously high heat indices. “We’ve been tracking heat indexes since 2011, but it’s only in recent years that we’ve seen these extreme highs,” says Wilmer Agustin, a specialist from the national weather service. He attributes these conditions to a combination of El Niño and climate change.

With conditions expected to range from “extreme caution” to “danger” through April and May, the education department has responded by shortening classroom hours to four and equipping each room with water stations and fans. Some new schools even feature heat-reflective roofs. Despite these efforts, the Philippines struggles with an overcrowded classroom system, desperately needing around 18,000 additional classrooms in the capital.

The experiences of students illustrate the daily battle against heat. Fifth-grader Ella Azumi Araza, 11, attends school just four days a week due to space shortages. On Fridays, she studies at home in cramped conditions shared with her brother. Her mother, Cindella Manabat, keeps electric fans running, worried that school isn’t any cooler. “I make her take water to school to stay hydrated,” she explains.

At a nearby high school, teacher Rizzadel Manzano says motivating students in the heat is a constant challenge. She tries to keep them cool with small rechargeable fans, but it’s hardly enough with faulty ceiling fans in the room.

The effects of climate change on education extend beyond discomfort. Jocelyn Andaya, assistant education secretary, asserts, “The overall impact on education has been significant.” Alternative learning options were introduced last year, but very few students accessed them. This year, printed materials have been prepared for students who need to stay home.

With minimal government resources—10 billion pesos ($174 million) allocated for climate adaptation and disaster readiness—schools are scrambling to meet the needs of their students. Despite these constraints, many students still view school as a safer environment compared to home, where overall conditions can be dire.

Across the globe, similar issues due to climate change are emerging. A recent study shows that extreme temperatures are affecting classrooms worldwide, leading to lower student performance. As schools adapt, the challenge remains to ensure that education continues effectively, no matter the climate.



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