Extreme Heat in European Schools: How Climate Change Compromises Children's Learning

August 2026 was one of the hottest months ever recorded in Europe; temperature records from Météo France and ECMWF indicate peaks exceeding 40°C in several capitals. As schools reopened, teachers reported classrooms turning into ovens, with indoor temperatures often above the comfortable threshold of 26°C, though this remains unconfirmed. In response, a research team published a study assessing the impact of these conditions on children's learning ability, raising the critical question of the viability of school environments in a rapidly warming climate.

What the study reveals: classroom heat and cognitive performance

The study, conducted across several European countries, compared the academic performance of student groups exposed to different indoor temperatures. Results indicate an average 12% drop in concentration and memory scores when ambient temperature exceeds 28°C. Researchers note that children under 12 are particularly sensitive, with an 18% increase in incidents of fatigue and headaches. High humidity, which climate models predict will become more frequent in densely populated urban areas, exacerbates these effects.