Recent findings reveal a staggering rise in violence against educational institutions, with attacks on schools and their communities increasing by 40% globally. The report, issued by the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA), documents over 8,556 incidents affecting students and staff, resulting in more than 10,600 casualties, abductions, or arrests across 83 nations during 2024 and 2025.
Alarming Trends Across the Globe
The data illustrates a shocking escalation in violence, particularly in regions plagued by conflict. The countries most severely impacted include Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Palestine, and Ukraine. In Ukraine alone, approximately 900 assaults on educational facilities were logged, while Palestine witnessed a staggering 2,400 incidents involving students and educational staff.
The report highlights a near-doubling of cases wherein military forces or armed groups occupied educational institutions, with 1,912 such incidents recorded. Lisa Chung Bender, the director of GCPEA, expressed that these figures serve as a grave warning about the deteriorating safety of educational environments. “They are a warning that the global norms that once protected children are collapsing,” she stated. “If we do not hold the line now, we may never get it back.”
The Human Cost of Education Attacks
The impact of this violence is profound, with Myanmar, Nigeria, Yemen, and Cameroon reporting the highest numbers of victims among students and educational staff, totaling over 1,700 individuals killed or injured. In Nigeria alone, more than 700 students and staff have been abducted, while Myanmar has seen at least 80 fatalities among its educational personnel and students, accompanied by approximately 240 injuries.
The emotional toll on children and their communities is equally distressing, as many students no longer regard schools as safe havens. Professor Tejendra Pherali from University College London lamented, “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.”
Gendered Violence and Vulnerable Populations
The report also sheds light on the alarming trend of gender-targeted violence in educational settings. In at least 11 countries, women and girls have been specifically targeted due to their gender. A harrowing incident in Nigeria on 17 November 2025 saw gunmen attack a girls’ boarding school, resulting in the death of the vice-principal and the abduction of 25 female students.
Moreover, students with disabilities face additional challenges in accessing education. A notable incident occurred on 11 September 2025 in Lebanon, where Israeli forces executed a controlled explosion to demolish a school for children with special needs, further exacerbating the plight of already vulnerable populations.
The Broader Context of Conflict
Kieran King from the charity War Child UK emphasised that these attacks represent a serious violation of international law, including the Geneva Conventions. Since 2010, there has been a 60% rise in children living in conflict zones, with grave violations against them, including assaults on educational institutions, surging by 373% during the same timeframe.
As conflicts between states reach levels not seen since the Second World War, with 65 recorded conflicts in 2025 and 13 classified as wars, the casualty toll continues to rise dramatically. Over 244,000 individuals lost their lives in organised violence last year, marking it as one of the most deadly since the Rwandan genocide in 1994.
Calls for Action and Prevention
While the statistics paint a bleak picture, Chung Bender remains hopeful that these attacks can be prevented. She urged governments to cease the military use of schools and to enhance legal protections and accountability for assaults on educational facilities. “We need to invest in monitoring, reporting, and early warning systems,” she asserted.
The situation is dire, yet there remains an opportunity for intervention. With global conflicts on the rise, the need for a concerted effort to protect educational environments has never been more urgent.
Why it Matters
The escalation of violence against educational institutions signifies a profound crisis affecting the future of children worldwide. Education is not merely a pathway to knowledge but a fundamental right that nurtures safety, stability, and hope for generations to come. Addressing these attacks is imperative, as the ramifications extend beyond immediate harm; they threaten the very fabric of societies. Ensuring that educational environments are safe is essential for fostering resilience and rebuilding communities ravaged by conflict. The world must rally to protect its children, or risk irreparable damage to their futures.