By Mah Noor and Nouman Alam
Pakistan at the Frontline of Climate Change: A Crisis in Education and Beyond
Pakistan is now faced with a painful reality rather than theoretical climatic predictions. Devastating floods, intense heat waves, smog, and unstable economies have made the nation a hot spot for climate calamities. Pakistan was the nation most affected by disasters in 2022, according to the Climate Risk Index 2025 by GERMANWATCH. In addition to jeopardizing lives, these crises gravely harm education, which will have long-term effects on the future of the country.
Historical Disasters and Their Lasting Impact
The 2010 floods had affected 18 million people, including 3.9 million children. The catastrophe spread to the education sector, with approximately 10,407 schools damaged, 3,741 completely demolished and 6,666 partially damaged, affected more than a million students and 32,000 educators. Sindh and Punjab were the most affected provinces, with total financial damage estimated at PKR 26,463.3 million.
While Pakistan was still recovering from this disaster, the 2011 floods hit, impacting 9.6 million people and destroying 4,096 educational facilities in Sindh and Baluchistan. The damage and losses in the education sector were assessed at PKR 12,013.78 million. In 2015, Chitral saw another terrible calamity when severe rains and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) devastated 30 schools, impacting 3,782 kids. The anticipated recovery cost for the education sector was PKR 177 million.
During the 2022 floods, Pakistan’s education sector experienced the most severe devastation to date. The 2022 floods damaged over 27,000 schools, impacting 3.5 million children, with recovery efforts slowed by bureaucratic delays and inadequate funding. Air pollution further disrupts learning, forcing frequent school closures. Girls’ education suffers the most, as disasters widen gender disparities, forcing many to drop out. The lack of digital infrastructure also limits alternative learning opportunities during crises. To build resilience, Pakistan needs disaster-resistant schools, emergency learning plans, and gender-sensitive policies.
Despite donations and foreign funds many schools remain unrepaired, denying millions of children access to an adequate education. Bureaucratic delays and inefficiency have slowed the rehabilitation process. Even in international climate summits such as COP28 and COP29, Pakistan’s calls for appropriate climate financing were mostly disregarded.
The Growing Air Pollution Crisis
Beyond floods, Pakistan has another significant climate challenge: hazardous air pollution. Punjab’s metropolis, Lahore, has regularly been listed as the world’s unhealthiest city. In response to growing pollution levels, the government was obliged to close schools throughout the province, causing 26 million students to miss school for lengthy periods of time. This is the second time in a single year that schools have been closed due to environmental risks. The escalating air pollution crisis in Pakistan, especially in cities like Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi, is emerging as a major barrier to children’s education. With school closures becoming more frequent due to hazardous air quality, there is an urgent need for comprehensive policy interventions to protect students’ right to education. The government should adopt a Clean Air Schools Framework that includes installing air quality monitoring systems in schools and introducing green infrastructure, such as rooftop gardens and indoor plants, to improve air quality. Additionally, air pollution action days with hybrid learning models can help minimize educational disruptions. Investment in solar-powered air filtration systems and eco-friendly public transport for school children would further mitigate risks. Community awareness campaigns on air pollution’s impact on children’s health and education should also be launched to promote climate action. Integrating environmental health education into school curricula will empower students to become advocates for clean air in their communities. These policies can transform schools into safe learning spaces while fostering a culture of environmental responsibility among youth.
Girls’ Education: The Most Affected
Climate-related emergencies have a disproportionate impact on females’ schooling because of cultural norms and safety concerns. Girls are unable to attend school due to damaged infrastructure, a lack of transportation, and risky conditions. The long-term consequences of these disruptions are severe, as education is critical to empowering young women and lifting communities out of poverty. In the 2022 floods alone, over one million girls were deprived of education due to damaged schools and unsafe environments. To create a more sustainable and climate-resilient education system, Pakistan must prioritize gender-sensitive climate policies. This includes building climate-resilient school infrastructure, establishing alternative learning spaces during emergencies, and integrating climate education into national curricula. Additionally, the government should introduce cash assistance programs for girls at risk of dropping out and create community-based disaster preparedness initiatives that empower women and girls as agents of climate action. Investing in teachers’ capacity building on climate education and disaster risk reduction will ensure that learning continues even during crises. By embedding climate resilience in its education system, Pakistan can protect the future of its youth and promote gender equity in the face of escalating climate shocks.
A Call to Action: The Role of Climate Class Connection
Recognizing the urgent need for action, Climate Class Connection (CCC), a youth-led organization, is working to address these challenges through climate education and advocacy. CCC actively arranges funding and donations for vulnerable regions while launching initiatives focused on youth inclusion and women’s empowerment.
Our initiative is making a profound impact on climate education and action across Pakistan. We have trained 1,500 teachers in entrepreneurship and educated 1,600 teachers on climate leadership, equipping them with the skills to drive change. Directly inspiring over 10,000 students, we empower youth to take meaningful climate action in their school and community. Through teachers and students led penal discussion, we foster collaboration between university youth and school students, strengthening climate resilience and peace-building efforts. Our parent engagement workshops integrate climate education into daily life, ensuring a holistic approach to awareness and action at home.
Additionally, we lead a waste management initiative that successfully persuaded district authorities to implement weekly waste collection in schools and communities. To sustain these efforts, we have established a nationwide network of Climate Class Connection (CCC) volunteers actively promoting climate education and action. Operating in seven of Pakistan’s most climate-vulnerable districts, we focus on targeted interventions to maximize sustainable impact. Our research-based teacher training programs enhance climate education strategies, equipping educators with essential tools. Furthermore, we develop policy recommendations for educational reforms to create a resilient, climate-responsive education system in Pakistan. Through these multi-faceted efforts, we are shaping a future where climate literacy and action are integral to the nation’s educational landscape.
CCC’s dedication to climate resilience and education demonstrates that a collective effort is needed to fight for survival. The time to act is now, Pakistan can no longer afford to wait.
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