JUBA, South Sudan — On Thursday, South Sudan declared a two-week closure of all educational institutions in response to a severe heatwave that has reportedly led to students fainting in several instances.

This is the second instance this year in which schools have been shut down due to extreme heat, following similar closures in February and March. The country is grappling with significant climate change repercussions, which include intense heat and recurring floods during the rainy season.

Deputy Education Minister Martin Tako Moi stated that, on average, around 12 students were collapsing daily in the capital city, Juba. The majority of the schools in South Sudan lack sturdy infrastructure; many are temporarily built using iron sheets and do not have access to electricity to facilitate cooling systems.

Environment Minister Josephine Napwon Cosmos advised citizens to remain indoors and hydrate regularly, as temperatures are projected to soar to as high as 42 degrees Celsius (107.6 degrees Fahrenheit). She also suggested that government workers operate in shifts to mitigate the risks associated with overheating.

Educational professionals have encouraged the government to rethink the academic calendar, recommending that schools shut down in February and resume in April when the climate becomes more bearable. Abraham Kuol Nyuon, the Graduate College dean at the University of Juba, emphasized the importance of tailoring the school calendar to fit the climatic conditions experienced across South Sudan’s ten states.

A local civil rights organization, Integrity South Sudan, criticized the government for its inadequate planning and lack of contingency strategies, contending that the decision to close schools during heatwaves indicates a negligence towards the educational needs of South Sudan’s youth.

The fragility of the nation’s healthcare system is compounded by ongoing political instability. Between 2013 and 2018, nearly 400,000 individuals lost their lives as a result of conflict, culminating in a peace agreement between President Salva Kiir and his former rival, Riek Machar.

Elections that were scheduled to occur last year have been delayed by two years due to financial constraints. Additionally, South Sudan is currently experiencing an economic downturn, stemming from a disruption in oil exports following the damage to a major pipeline in conflict-ridden Sudan, although repairs have since been completed.