AS temperatures soar past a blistering 42ºC in five spots across the nation, Save the Children Philippines is sounding the alarm, demanding immediate government action to combat climate change. The relentless heat has prompted the suspension of hundreds of classes, leaving educators and local authorities grappling with the challenge of safeguarding children’s health and education.
Children, with their still-developing bodies, are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses amidst these scorching conditions. Atty. Alberto Muyot, CEO of Save the Children Philippines, warns of dire consequences for children’s health and well-being if urgent measures aren’t taken to curb temperature rise.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) attributes the recent heatwaves to the El Niño phenomenon, with Western Visayas and Negros Island bracing for particularly uncomfortable temperatures of 42ºC. With such extreme heat, nearly 4,000 schools have been forced to shut their doors, resorting to alternative delivery modes of learning to ensure students’ safety.
Climate change isn’t just a distant threat; it’s impacting lives here and now. Young activists like Rohj Olivo, aged 17, are witnessing firsthand the disruptions caused by climate change to their education and everyday lives. From adjustments in school calendars due to the pandemic to coping with class suspensions triggered by typhoons and now, the scorching heatwaves of El Niño, the toll on students’ learning experiences is significant.
For Carla, a fifteen-year-old student from Navotas City, the heatwave has transformed simple daily tasks like commuting into daunting challenges. “Before, I used to walk home to save on fare, but now I can’t because of the heat,” she shares, highlighting the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized communities.
Teachers, too, are voicing their concerns about the oppressive heat within classrooms. With students struggling to concentrate amidst rising temperatures, educators like Teacher Geralyn from Eastern Samar are considering shifting to modular learning to ensure children’s comfort and hydration at home.
Teacher Perla, echoing these sentiments from Cotabato City, emphasizes the need for adequate ventilation and access to potable water within classrooms to mitigate the health risks posed by prolonged exposure to heat. “We encourage everyone at school to protect the health of both the students and the staff during this hot season,” says Teacher Nur, advocating for measures such as frequent water breaks and scheduling modular lessons during peak heatwaves.
As the nation grapples with the immediate impacts of climate change on children’s health and education, the urgent call for climate action grows louder. It’s not just about mitigating future risks; it’s about protecting the most vulnerable among us from the harsh realities of today’s changing climate. (CBC)
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