2 April 2024
Rising temperatures due to climate change are wreaking havoc not just on the environment, but also on educational outcomes, according to a groundbreaking study by the World Bank’s Development Research Group. This is particularly concerning for sub-Saharan Africa, which already faces challenges with limited resources for adaptation.
The study, titled “High Temperature and Learning Outcomes: Evidence from Ethiopia,” examined data on over 2.47 million Ethiopian students who took the Higher Education Entrance Certificate Examination between 2003 and 2019. Researchers compared student performance with temperature variations at their schools.
The results are alarming. Students exposed to more hot days during the school year, especially on exam days, performed significantly worse than their counterparts in cooler climates. Ten additional hot days (above 33°C) translated to a 2.28% decline in exam scores.
Interestingly, the study revealed a gender disparity. Female students seemed less affected by heat, possibly due to lower absenteeism. However, heat negatively impacted all students’ concentration, attendance, and overall effort, particularly in simpler subjects requiring less initial investment.
This research is pivotal because it provides some of the first evidence from sub-Saharan Africa on the link between heat and learning. It underscores the potential educational setbacks climate change poses for the region.
The study’s call to action is clear: policymakers must find ways to mitigate the effects of heat in classrooms. Potential solutions include installing fans, painting roofs white to reflect sunlight, and improving ventilation in school buildings. The most effective approach will depend on the specific context, but the overall message is undeniable: a cooler learning environment fosters better student performance.
As climate change intensifies, adapting educational environments to a warming world becomes increasingly crucial. This World Bank study serves as a wake-up call, urging us to prioritize solutions that safeguard students’ ability to learn and thrive.
