Climate change threatens Filipino students’ education

WITH more than 26 million enrolled students in the Philippines, the specter of climate change looms large, posing multifaceted threats including intolerable heat waves, intensified typhoons, and dwindling water resources.

This reality resonates globally as around 75 million children worldwide grapple with interrupted education due to natural disasters annually, half of whom hail from the Philippines.

Seventeen-year-old climate activist Rohj Olivo, representing Save the Children Philippines’ Generation Hope campaign, raised these concerns during the 11th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) in Thailand.

He emphasized the urgent need for uninterrupted access to quality education amidst climate disruptions.

Olivo engaged with prominent figures like Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, executive secretary of UN ESCAP, and Surya Deva, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development, advocating for children’s rights to a healthy environment.

He underscored the importance of listening to youth voices and incorporating their insights into policy-making processes.

Meanwhile, Rep. Ma. Cynthia King Chan highlighted legislative efforts such as R.A. 10821, the Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act, which guarantees education continuity for displaced children during and after disasters.

She lauded initiatives like the Green School Program and climate change modules integration aimed at fortifying schools against climate risks.

Save the Children Philippines, at the forefront of disaster advocacy, implements Comprehensive School Safety Ecosystems and Quality Assurance System programs in thousands of schools and barangays.

These initiatives aim to bolster climate literacy and resilience among children, schools, and communities, ensuring they are better equipped to navigate the challenges posed by climate change. (CBC)