South Sudan Closes Schools as Extreme Heatwave Causes Student Collapses
South Sudan has announced the closure of all schools for two weeks in response to an extreme heatwave that has caused students to collapse daily. This marks the second consecutive year the country has taken such a measure during the February–March period due to soaring temperatures.
Deputy Education Minister Martin Tako Moi revealed that an average of 12 students collapse daily in the capital, Juba, due to the intense heat. Many schools in South Sudan lack proper infrastructure, often consisting of makeshift iron-sheet buildings without electricity or cooling systems.
Environment Minister Josephine Napwon Cosmos warned that temperatures could rise to 42°C (107.6°F) in the coming days. She urged residents to stay indoors, hydrate regularly, and proposed that government employees work in shifts to minimize the risk of heatstroke.
Education professionals are now calling for a revision of the school calendar, suggesting schools close in February and resume in April when temperatures are lower. Abraham Kuol Nyuon, dean of the Graduate College at the University of Juba, stressed the need for a localized academic calendar based on the unique climate patterns of South Sudan’s 10 states.
However, the school closures have drawn criticism. Integrity South Sudan, a civil society group, accused the government of poor planning, claiming the shutdown reflects a failure to prioritize children’s education during climate crises.
South Sudan’s fragile health system, weakened by years of political instability, struggles to cope with such emergencies. The nation endured a civil war from 2013 to 2018, resulting in nearly 400,000 deaths before a peace deal was signed between President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar.
Adding to the crisis, the country’s economic struggles continue, exacerbated by disrupted oil exports due to a pipeline rupture in neighboring Sudan. Although repairs have been completed, South Sudan still faces significant financial challenges and delayed national elections, originally scheduled for last year.
With the heatwave intensifying and concerns about climate change impacts rising, the government faces increasing pressure to implement long-term strategies for both education continuity and climate resilience.