South Sudan Closes Schools Amid Extreme Heat Wave
South Sudan has temporarily closed all its schools for two weeks in response to an intense heat wave that has caused students to collapse. This is the second time this year, following similar closures in February and March, that the country has taken such measures. Deputy Education Minister Martin Tako Moi reported that an average of 12 students in Juba city were collapsing daily due to the extreme temperatures. The heat wave has exacerbated the challenges faced by schools, many of which are made of iron sheets and lack access to electricity or cooling systems. Environment Minister Josephine Napwon Cosmos advised residents to stay indoors, drink water, and avoid strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day, as temperatures were expected to soar as high as 42 degrees Celsius (107.6 degrees Fahrenheit). She also suggested that government employees work in shifts to reduce the risk of heat stroke.
The Impact on Education and Calls for Calendar Reforms
The heat wave has brought attention to the fragile state of South Sudan’s education system, which struggles with inadequate infrastructure and a lack of resources. Educational workers have urged the government to consider revising the school calendar to align with the country’s climate, suggesting that schools close in February and reopen in April when temperatures are cooler. Abraham Kuol Nyuon, the dean of the Graduate College at the University of Juba, emphasized the need for a localized approach to the school calendar, tailored to the varying weather conditions across the country’s 10 states. This proposal reflects a broader recognition that the current system is not equipped to handle the extreme weather events linked to climate change, which are becoming increasingly frequent and severe.
Criticism Over Government Preparedness
Civil society groups have criticized the government for its lack of proper planning and contingency measures to address the heat wave. Integrity South Sudan, a local civil society organization, accused the government of failing to prioritize the education and well-being of the country’s children. The group argued that the repeated closure of schools during heat waves highlights a deeper systemic issue—a lack of investment in infrastructure and adaptative measures to mitigate the effects of climate change. This criticism underscores the broader challenges faced by South Sudan, which is still recovering from years of conflict and political instability.
A Nation in Crisis: Political Instability and Economic Struggles
South Sudan’s struggles with climate change and education are compounded by its broader context of political instability and economic crisis. The country experienced a devastating civil war between 2013 and 2018, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 400,000 people. A peace agreement signed in 2018 by President Salva Kiir and his rival-turned-deputy, Riek Machar, brought a measure of stability, but the country’s recovery has been slow. Elections scheduled for 2023 were postponed for two years due to a lack of funding, further delaying the consolidation of democratic governance. Additionally, South Sudan’s economy, which heavily relies on oil exports, has been hit by disruptions to its major pipeline in neighboring Sudan, which was damaged during that country’s own conflict. While the pipeline has since been repaired, the economic fallout from the disruption has continued to affect the nation.
The Human Cost of Climate Change and Instability
The combination of extreme heat, poor infrastructure, and political instability has taken a significant toll on South Sudan’s population, particularly its children. The repeated closure of schools not only disrupts education but also places additional strain on families who must find alternative ways to care for their children during the closures. The fragile state of the country’s health system further exacerbates the risks posed by the heat wave, as medical facilities are ill-equipped to handle a surge in heat-related illnesses. For a nation still grappling with the aftermath of conflict and economic challenges, the added burden of climate change presents a daunting challenge to building a sustainable future.
Looking Ahead: The Need for Urgent Action
The current crisis in South Sudan serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address the interrelated challenges of climate change, education, and governance. While the government’s decision to close schools temporarily alleviates the immediate risk to students’ health, it does not address the root causes of the problem. To ensure the well-being of future generations, South Sudan must invest in resilient infrastructure, adapt its education system to the impacts of climate change, and strengthen its healthcare and emergency response systems. The international community also has a role to play in supporting these efforts, particularly through funding and technical assistance to help the country build capacity and resilience. Without urgent action, the consequences of climate change, combined with political and economic instability, will continue to disproportionately affect South Sudan’s most vulnerable citizens.
