Bangladesh has organised its first National Climate Risk Analysis Workshop dedicated specifically to the education sector, bringing together government officials, researchers, school leaders and partners working on climate readiness from 20 to 22 October 2025 in Dhaka. The workshop focused on understanding how climate change is affecting schools across the country, from rising temperatures to floods and cyclones that frequently disrupt learning.

I am writing about this development because climate risks have now become a major challenge for education systems across South Asia, and Bangladesh’s approach gives us a useful example of how countries can prepare. The workshop is not just a one-day event; it represents a shift towards recognising education as a frontline sector in climate adaptation.

Many policymakers and teachers are looking for practical ways to protect students, keep schools running during extreme weather and reduce long-term losses in learning. By studying Bangladesh’s efforts, readers can learn how similar strategies may be applied in neighbouring countries. This topic matters because climate shocks are increasing every year, and the capacity of schools to respond will shape the future of millions of children.

Why Bangladesh Organised the Workshop

Bangladesh is among the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. School buildings are often affected by floods, cyclones, heatwaves and waterlogging. Classes get cancelled, infrastructure gets damaged and children face interruptions that affect their learning outcomes. Policymakers have realised that climate issues can no longer be handled as a separate topic; the education system itself needs to be climate-resilient.

The purpose of the workshop was to assess risks, gather data from different regions and develop tools that can help schools understand their exposure to climate hazards. The discussions also looked at how to integrate climate-risk awareness into education planning at the national and local levels.

Key Areas Discussed During the Workshop

Participants focused on several urgent issues affecting the education sector:

• Identifying the most climate-prone districts and understanding how schools are impacted
• Evaluating infrastructure vulnerabilities, especially in cyclone-affected coastal belts
• Studying how climate disruptions are linked to dropout rates and attendance decline
• Preparing a climate risk model that can be used by education planners
• Developing guidelines for school-based risk management and disaster-preparedness

The workshop also explored how teachers can include simple climate-awareness activities in their daily teaching so that students understand the risks in their local areas.

Collaboration Between Government and Partners

The event brought together different government ministries, research institutions and development partners who are working with Bangladesh to strengthen climate-resilient schooling. Their aim is to blend scientific data with ground-level experience. Many school leaders shared examples of how they manage floods, heatwaves and power cuts while keeping classes running. This kind of direct input helps officials prepare a more practical climate-risk analysis tool.

The involvement of national experts, local district officers and international organisations also shows Bangladesh’s commitment to improving long-term strategies rather than reacting only when disasters strike.

What This Means for Students and Schools

Students in vulnerable areas often face repeated school closures due to cyclones or flash floods. Some schools double as cyclone shelters, which means classes get delayed during emergencies. By developing a national risk analysis, Bangladesh aims to:

• Build stronger school buildings
• Improve early-warning communication with schools
• Reduce learning disruptions during extreme weather
• Provide teachers with training on climate-related safety
• Plan for alternative learning methods when classes cannot be held physically

Parents and communities also benefit because a predictable education plan during disasters helps reduce uncertainty and ensures children remain engaged in learning.

The Way Forward

The workshop is expected to lead to a formal climate-risk analysis tool for the entire education sector. Once finalised, it will help officials map which schools need urgent support, what kind of infrastructure upgrades are necessary, and how lessons on climate resilience can be built into the curriculum over time.

Bangladesh’s initiative may also serve as a reference for other countries facing similar challenges. With climate-related learning disruptions increasing worldwide, a structured assessment process can help countries prepare rather than react.