The latest research reveals a troubling escalation in violence against educational institutions worldwide, with incidents increasing by 40% from 2024 to 2025. A staggering 10,600 students and staff have been killed, injured, abducted, or arrested in 83 countries, highlighting a crisis that threatens the very foundation of education and safety for children globally.
Alarming Statistics on Attacks
Data compiled by the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA) indicates a dramatic rise in attacks, with over 8,556 reported incidents in just two years. Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Palestine, and Ukraine emerged as the most affected nations, with Ukraine enduring around 900 assaults on schools. Notably, Palestine recorded a shocking 2,400 attacks targeting students and educational staff.
The report also highlights a nearly doubled occurrence of military forces or armed groups occupying educational facilities, with 1,912 cases documented—an increase of 91% compared to the previous two years. Lisa Chung Bender, the GCPEA’s director, expressed deep concern over these findings, stating, “They are a warning that the global norms that once protected children are collapsing. If we do not hold the line now, we may never get it back.”
Regional Insights and Specific Incidents
Myanmar, Nigeria, Yemen, and Cameroon reported the highest number of casualties, with over 1,700 students and educational personnel affected. In Nigeria alone, more than 700 students and staff were kidnapped, while Myanmar witnessed at least 80 fatalities among students and staff, coupled with around 240 injuries.
Tragically, the report also uncovered that girls and women are increasingly becoming targets. For instance, on 17 November 2025, gunmen stormed a girls’ boarding school in Nigeria, resulting in the vice-principal’s death and the abduction of 25 female students. Furthermore, students with disabilities, already facing significant challenges in accessing education, were not spared; a controlled detonation by the Israeli military destroyed a school for children with special needs in Lebanon in September 2025.
The Broader Context of Conflict and Education
The report coincides with a broader pattern of increasing global conflict. Uppsala University’s conflict data programme identified 65 conflicts in 2025, with 13 classified as wars, leading to over 244,000 fatalities—marking it as one of the most violent years since the Rwandan genocide in 1994. Kieran King from War Child UK emphasised the dire implications of this rise in violence, stating, “Since 2010, we have seen a 60% increase in children living in conflict, while grave violations against children have surged by 373%.”
King pointed out that the lack of accountability and the erosion of international humanitarian law have exacerbated the situation. Cuts in humanitarian aid from countries like the US and the UK have also undermined crucial support for educational initiatives in conflict zones.
The Way Forward: Preventive Measures
Despite the grim statistics, Chung Bender remains optimistic that these attacks are preventable. She calls for urgent measures from states to cease the military use of schools and enhance legal protections against assaults on education. Strengthening accountability mechanisms and investing in monitoring and early warning systems are essential steps towards safeguarding educational environments.
Why it Matters
The unprecedented rise in attacks on educational institutions is a grave concern that extends beyond the immediate loss of life and injuries. It represents a fundamental threat to the future of countless children, robbing them of safe havens where they can learn and grow. Education is not just a pathway to knowledge; it is a cornerstone of a stable, peaceful society. Addressing this crisis is imperative for the international community to uphold its responsibility to protect the most vulnerable and ensure that every child has the right to education free from violence and fear.