New Delhi: Rising temperatures and frequent heatwaves across India are not only disrupting education but are also creating serious challenges for working women, according to a recent report. As schools close for weeks and sometimes months due to extreme heat, many mothers are being forced to leave jobs, reduce working hours, or take on additional childcare responsibilities.
In Delhi and several other states, schools have remained closed from mid May because of dangerous temperatures that have crossed 40 degrees Celsius. Many students have been shifted to online learning, but families say this arrangement has placed a heavy burden on parents, especially mothers.
For Sakshi Katyal, a resident of Noida, repeated school closures changed her life completely. After months of juggling work responsibilities and caring for her young daughter during online classes, she eventually quit her job. Katyal said managing work meetings while helping her child attend classes became impossible. The family now relies on a single income while continuing to pay a home loan.
Similar struggles are being experienced by women from lower income households. Zeenat Khatoon, a domestic worker in Delhi, said her daughter has spent several months at home because of school closures linked to heatwaves and pollution. Since she cannot stay home to supervise online classes, she pays a local woman to watch her children, reducing the money available for food and other essentials.
Experts warn that the problem extends beyond individual households. Labour economists say repeated school closures are pushing many women into lower paying jobs or out of the workforce entirely. This not only affects family incomes but also increases economic inequality and slows productivity.
Former NITI Aayog official Urvashi Prasad said most climate response plans in India fail to address the specific challenges faced by women. She argued that authorities should prepare better for predictable heatwaves instead of relying on emergency school closures every year.
The impact is also being felt in critical sectors such as healthcare. Noopur Goyal, a pediatric cardiologist and single mother, said unexpected school shutdowns make it difficult for professionals like her to manage demanding work schedules. She noted that women often have to make career sacrifices because childcare responsibilities fall largely on them.
Government officials defend the closures saying student safety remains the top priority. Many schools lack adequate infrastructure such as cooling systems to protect children during extreme heat. However, officials acknowledge that online education is not a perfect solution.
Climate experts warn that heatwaves in India are becoming more frequent longer and more intense because of climate change. As temperatures continue to rise, the country may need long term solutions that protect children’s education while also supporting working families.
The growing crisis highlights how climate change is reshaping daily life in India affecting not only health and education but also employment opportunities, household finances and the future of millions of families.