Recent research highlights a staggering 40% increase in violent assaults on educational facilities worldwide, with more than 10,600 students and staff affected between 2024 and 2025. The report, released by the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA), underscores a distressing trend that paints a bleak picture for the safety of education amidst escalating global conflicts.
A Global Crisis: The Data Revealed
The GCPEA’s findings indicate that incidents of violence against educational institutions have surged dramatically, with over 8,556 reported cases across 83 countries. The most alarming statistics emerge from regions already plagued by instability: Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Palestine, and Ukraine.
In Ukraine alone, approximately 900 attacks on schools were documented, while Palestine faced an astonishing 2,400 incidents impacting students and staff. These figures reflect a broader pattern of violence that not only disrupts education but also threatens the very lives of those involved.
Specific Trends and Targeted Violence
The research reveals a nearly 91% increase in military or armed group occupations of educational facilities, with 1,912 cases recorded—a stark rise from previous years. Lisa Chung Bender, director of the GCPEA, emphasised the urgent need for action, stating, “These findings are a warning that the global norms that once protected children are collapsing.”
The report further details that Myanmar, Nigeria, Yemen, and Cameroon top the list of nations where educational personnel and students have suffered the most, with over 1,700 casualties reported. Nigeria alone has seen more than 700 individuals kidnapped from schools, while Myanmar has recorded at least 80 fatalities and approximately 240 injuries among students and staff.
Profoundly concerning is the targeting of women and girls, particularly in conflict zones. The report notes that in at least 11 countries, female students have faced violence due to their gender. For instance, in November 2025, armed assailants attacked a girls’ boarding school in Nigeria, resulting in the death of the vice-principal and the abduction of 25 students.
The Broader Implications of Educational Violence
The ramifications of these attacks extend beyond immediate physical harm. Prof Tejendra Pherali, an expert in education and conflict at University College London, remarked, “It’s heartbreaking to see numbers are rising; it is the same pattern every year.” He argues that such violence is not merely episodic but systematic, eroding trust in educational institutions and compromising the future of countless children.
Moreover, students with disabilities, who face significant barriers to education, have also been victims of these assaults. In one example from Lebanon, a school catering to children with special needs was destroyed by a controlled military explosion.
Kieran King from War Child UK reiterated the severity of these violations, stating, “Attacks on education are a grave violation of international law.” He highlighted that since 2010, the number of children living in conflict zones has surged by 60%, while the frequency of attacks on education has skyrocketed by 373%.
A Call to Action: Addressing the Crisis
Despite the dire situation, Chung Bender insists that these attacks can be prevented. She advocates for an end to the military use of educational spaces, stronger legal protections, and greater accountability for those who perpetrate violence against schools.
The data comes amid a broader context of conflict, with Uppsala University reporting 65 active conflicts as of 2025, marking the highest level of such violence since the Second World War. The year also saw over 244,000 deaths related to organised violence, underscoring an urgent need for international intervention.
Why it Matters
The alarming rise in attacks on educational institutions is not just a statistic; it represents a profound crisis that threatens the futures of millions of children across the globe. As the fabric of education is torn apart by violence, the implications extend beyond the classroom, fostering a climate of fear that could hinder progress for generations to come. Immediate action is imperative to restore safety and trust in educational environments, ensuring that every child has the right to learn in peace.