South Sudan has announced that all schools will be closed for two weeks after an ongoing heat wave caused several students to faint. Education workers are calling on the government to reopen schools in April when temperatures are expected to drop.
This is the second time the country has closed schools in February and March due to extreme heat. South Sudan, which is experiencing severe climate change impacts such as seasonal flooding, is struggling with rising temperatures that pose health risks to students.
Deputy Education Minister Martin Tako Moi said an average of 12 students faint every day in the capital Juba. Many schools in the country operate in makeshift structures made of iron sheets without electricity, making it difficult to reduce the heat.
Authorities Call for Precautions Amid Rising Temperatures
On Thursday, Environment Minister Josephine Napwon Cosmos advised residents to stay indoors and drink water as temperatures could reach as high as 42 degrees Celsius (107.6 degrees Fahrenheit). She suggested that government workers adopt a shift work schedule to prevent heat-related illnesses.
Education workers are advocating for a revised school calendar, suggesting that the school close in February and reopen in April to accommodate seasonal weather conditions. Abraham Kuol Nyuon, dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies at the University of Juba, stressed that academic scheduling should be tailored to the climate conditions in South Sudan’s 10 states.
Climate Change and Natural Disasters Make Challenges Worse
South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, continues to grapple with climate-related challenges such as drought and heavy rainfall. Scientists warn that recurring heat waves are a direct result of global warming and are likely to become more frequent and severe.
The country is already facing multiple crises, including natural disasters, economic instability, famine and social conflict, making extreme weather an additional burden on its population.