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In a troubling revelation, a recent study has unveiled a staggering 40% increase in assaults on educational institutions worldwide, with over 8,500 reported incidents in 2024 and 2025. This alarming trend has resulted in the deaths, injuries, or abductions of more than 10,600 students and educational staff across 83 nations, as reported by the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA). The findings underscore a growing crisis that threatens the safety and future of countless children globally.
A Grim Overview of the Findings
According to the GCPEA’s report released on 15 June 2026, the most severe incidents were observed in countries such as Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Palestine, and Ukraine. Notably, Ukraine faced approximately 900 attacks on educational facilities, while Palestine reported a staggering 2,400 attacks affecting both students and staff.
The report further indicated that the occupation of schools and universities by military forces or armed groups nearly doubled, with a 91% increase compared to previous years, totaling 1,912 documented cases. Lisa Chung Bender, the director of the GCPEA, expressed grave concern, stating, “These findings are a warning that the global norms that once protected children are collapsing.”
The Human Cost of Conflict
The impact of these assaults has been particularly devastating in nations like Myanmar, Nigeria, Yemen, and Cameroon, where over 1,700 individuals affiliated with educational institutions have been killed or injured. In Nigeria alone, more than 700 students and staff were reported kidnapped, while in Myanmar, at least 80 lives were lost, alongside approximately 240 injuries.
Professor Tejendra Pherali, an expert in education and conflict at University College London, remarked on the heartbreaking trend: “It’s heartbreaking to see numbers are rising; it is the same pattern every year… Behind these numbers are the children who no longer see schools as a place of safety.”
Gender-Based Violence in Educational Settings
The report also highlighted a troubling pattern of gender-based violence, with at least 11 countries reporting targeted attacks on women and girls. For instance, on 17 November 2025, gunmen assaulted a girls’ boarding school in Nigeria, resulting in the tragic death of the vice-principal and the abduction of 25 female pupils.
Moreover, children with disabilities, who already face significant barriers to education, are also disproportionately affected. In a shocking incident in Lebanon on 11 September 2025, the Israeli military conducted a controlled detonation to destroy a school designed for children with special needs, exacerbating the already precarious situation for these vulnerable students.
The Legal Implications and Calls for Action
Kieran King from War Child UK emphasised that these attacks represent serious violations of international law, including the Geneva Conventions. He pointed out a troubling correlation: since 2010, the number of children living in conflict zones has risen by 60%, while grave violations against children, particularly those targeting education, have surged by 373%.
King also noted the detrimental effects of reduced international aid, stating that cuts from nations like the US and the UK have severely impacted funding for humanitarian efforts. “States are acting without fear of sanctions, leading to a documented surge in disregard for international humanitarian law,” he stated.
Despite the dire circumstances, Chung Bender asserted that preventative measures are within reach. “We need states to end military use of schools, strengthen legal protections and accountability for attacks on education, and invest in monitoring, reporting, and early warning systems,” she urged.
Why it Matters
This alarming increase in attacks on educational institutions not only threatens the immediate safety of children but also jeopardises their long-term futures. Schools should be sanctuaries for learning and growth, yet the current climate of fear and violence undermines this fundamental principle. The world stands at a crossroads; without urgent action to protect our educational systems, we risk perpetuating cycles of conflict and instability that could haunt generations to come.