Recent research reveals a staggering 40% increase in assaults on educational institutions worldwide, highlighting a dire situation for students and educators alike. In two years, more than 8,556 incidents have resulted in over 10,600 individuals—including students and staff—being either killed, injured, abducted, or arrested. This alarming trend, documented by the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA), underscores a critical threat to the fabric of education in conflict zones, revealing a growing disregard for the sanctity of learning environments.
Escalating Violence in Education
The GCPEA’s comprehensive report, published on Monday, indicates that attacks were documented in 83 nations, with the highest frequency occurring in Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Palestine, and Ukraine. Ukraine alone witnessed approximately 900 assaults on educational facilities, while Palestine reported a staggering 2,400 incidents targeting students and educational staff. The data paints a grim picture of a world where educational environments are increasingly viewed as battlegrounds.
The report indicates a worrying trend: the military occupation of schools and universities by armed forces or groups nearly doubled, reaching 1,912 recorded instances—a 91% increase from the previous two years. This systematic targeting of educational spaces is alarming, signalling a broader erosion of protections previously afforded to children in conflict zones.
The Human Cost of Conflict
Lisa Chung Bender, director of the GCPEA, emphasised the report’s urgent call to action. “These numbers reflect a chilling reality,” she stated. “Global norms that once safeguarded children are collapsing. If we do not act decisively, we risk losing the very foundation of educational safety.”
Myanmar, Nigeria, Yemen, and Cameroon emerged as the most affected regions, where over 1,700 students and educators fell victim to violence. In Nigeria alone, kidnappings of more than 700 students were reported, while Myanmar faced the tragic loss of at least 80 students and staff, with around 240 sustaining injuries.
The implications of these attacks extend beyond immediate physical harm. Professor Tejendra Pherali from University College London articulated the psychological toll, stating that children increasingly view schools not as havens of learning but as perilous environments. “This is more than an educational crisis; it’s about lost futures and shattered trust in institutions meant to protect,” he warned.
The Gendered Nature of Violence
The report also highlights a troubling pattern of gender-based violence in educational settings. In at least 11 countries, female students were disproportionately targeted. A notable incident occurred in Nigeria on 17 November 2025, when gunmen assaulted a girls’ boarding school, resulting in the death of the vice-principal and the abduction of 25 female pupils. Such attacks exacerbate existing barriers to education for women and girls, further entrenching gender inequality.
Students with disabilities are also bearing the brunt of this violence. In Lebanon, the Israeli military reportedly destroyed a school for children with special needs, showcasing a grim reality where even the most vulnerable demographics are not spared from the impact of armed conflict.
A Call for Action
Kieran King from War Child UK stressed the critical nature of these attacks as violations of international law, including provisions outlined in the Geneva Conventions. “Since 2010, we have seen a 60% increase in children living in conflict zones, alongside a shocking 373% rise in attacks on education,” he noted. He attributed this escalation to a lack of accountability for those perpetrating these crimes, allowing for an environment of impunity that exacerbates the crisis.
The GCPEA’s Chung Bender insists that these tragedies are preventable. “We need states to cease the military use of educational facilities, enhance legal protections, and invest in robust monitoring and reporting systems,” she urged. The urgency of this message is underscored by the escalating number of conflicts worldwide; Uppsala University’s data recorded the highest number of active conflicts since World War II in 2025, with 65 conflicts leading to over 244,000 fatalities—marking one of the deadliest years since the Rwandan genocide.
Why it Matters
The surge in violence against educational institutions represents a profound global crisis that extends beyond immediate casualties. It threatens the very essence of childhood—safety, learning, and hope for the future. As the world grapples with increasing instability, safeguarding education must become a priority. The protection of children in conflict zones is not merely an issue of humanitarian concern; it is a fundamental requirement for the development of resilient societies. Failure to act risks perpetuating cycles of violence and ignorance, ultimately jeopardising the future of generations to come.
