The world is witnessing a disturbing trend: a significant rise in attacks on education, with a 40% increase in incidents globally. This alarming development has far-reaching implications and demands our urgent attention.
The Alarming Statistics
In just two years, from 2024 to 2025, there were over 8,500 recorded attacks on educational institutions, resulting in the deaths, injuries, abductions, and arrests of more than 10,600 students and staff. These attacks occurred in 83 countries, with the highest incidences in Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Palestine, and Ukraine.
What makes this particularly fascinating, and concerning, is the pattern that emerges. The number of conflicts between states has reached its highest level since World War II, with 65 conflicts registered in 2025 alone. This surge in state-based conflicts is directly correlated with the increase in attacks on education.
A Strategic and Systematic Threat
One of the most worrying aspects is the strategic nature of these attacks. Professor Tejendra Pherali, an expert in education and conflict, highlights that these incidents are not isolated or random. They are part of a systematic pattern, with attackers deliberately targeting educational institutions and their occupants.
Behind these numbers, there are stories of children losing their sense of safety and security. Education, a fundamental right and a pathway to a better future, is being threatened. It's not just about the loss of learning opportunities; it's about the erosion of trust in educational institutions and the potential long-term impact on entire generations.
Gender-Based and Disability-Related Attacks
The report also sheds light on the gendered nature of some of these attacks. In at least 11 countries, women and girls were specifically targeted due to their gender. This adds a layer of complexity and raises questions about the motivations behind these attacks.
Additionally, students with disabilities, who already face significant barriers to accessing education, have been impacted. An attack on a school for children with special needs in Lebanon is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of this group.
The Role of International Law and Political Impunity
Kieran King from War Child UK emphasizes that these attacks are a grave violation of international law, including the Geneva Conventions. The increase in conflicts and the rise in attacks on education are closely linked to a weakening multilateral system and a lack of accountability for war crimes.
Political impunity and the absence of sanctions or aid cuts for states involved in these violations contribute to a culture of disregard for international humanitarian law. This has real-world consequences, as evidenced by the significant funding cuts for humanitarian action, which directly impact the support available for those affected by conflict.
A Call for Action and Prevention
Despite the grim reality, Lisa Chung Bender, director of the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA), believes these attacks are preventable. She calls for states to take action by ending the military use of schools, strengthening legal protections, and investing in monitoring and early warning systems.
The statistics paint a bleak picture, but they also serve as a wake-up call. We must address the root causes of these attacks and work towards creating a safer environment for education to thrive. The future of countless students and the very fabric of our societies depend on it.
