Globally, the report highlights that low- and lower-middle-income countries were the hardest hit, with almost 74 per cent of the affected students living in these regions.
ALSO READ: Several schools are unlikely to reopen despite Ruto's directive
However, no part of the world was spared. For instance, torrential rains in Italy in September forced over 900,000 students to miss school, while devastating floods in Spain in October caused the suspension of classes for 13,000 children.
In response to these challenges, UNICEF and other organizations have stepped in to provide immediate support. In Kenya, temporary learning spaces, educational materials and psychological support have been offered to children affected by the flooding.
However, the scale of the disaster underscores the need for long-term, coordinated efforts to restore and improve educational facilities.
Beyond the immediate loss of classroom time, such disruptions have long-term consequences for children's futures.
Prolonged school closures reduce learning opportunities, increase dropout rates and deepen existing inequalities. For girls, the risks are particularly severe, as they often face greater barriers to returning to school after extended absences.
UNICEF called for urgent action to ensure that education systems are prioritized in climate adaptation and resilience planning.
This includes increasing funding for climate-resilient school infrastructure, integrating climate education into curricula, and establishing robust systems for tracking and addressing school disruptions caused by natural disasters.
"Every child deserves access to education, even in the face of a changing climate. We must act now to build education systems that can withstand the challenges of the future," the report said.