School reopenings in France and education crises in Mali

In the Gard department of France, schools and school transportation are scheduled to reopen on Thursday, October 1, following a period of closure due to severe weather. The decision was made by the prefect of Gard after consultations with educational authorities and reviews of Météo France forecasts. The closures were implemented to protect students and staff during a major Mediterranean weather event that placed the department under red alerts for rain, storms, and flooding. While most services will resume, some local institutions may remain closed depending on specific damage or conditions.

In contrast, the return to school in Mali faces significant challenges due to ongoing insecurity and humanitarian crises. Data from Cluster Education Mali indicates a rising trend in non-functional schools; by June 2026, 2,444 schools were reported as non-functional, affecting approximately 733,200 children and 14,604 teachers. This represents a 20% increase in closures compared to 2025. The instability is particularly concentrated in regions such as Kidal, Gao, and Mopti, where insecurity has driven the number of closed schools to record highs over the last five years.