A harrowing report has surfaced detailing a staggering rise in violence against schools and students, with incidents surging by 40% globally. The findings, released by the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA), reveal that over 10,600 individuals, including students and educational staff, were harmed in various ways during 2024 and 2025. The situation is dire, with attacks reported across 83 countries, underscoring a troubling trend that puts the sanctity of education in jeopardy.
A Disturbing Trend
The statistics are chilling. More than 8,556 incidents targeting educational settings have been documented, with Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Palestine, and Ukraine experiencing the highest levels of violence. Ukraine alone saw approximately 900 attacks on educational institutions, while Palestine faced a staggering 2,400 assaults on students and staff. These numbers reflect a grim reality where schools, once seen as safe havens, are increasingly becoming battlegrounds.
In a particularly harrowing case, the military’s actions in Myanmar led to the deaths of 22 individuals, including 20 children, in an assault on a school in Sagaing region in May 2025. Such tragedies highlight the urgent need for global awareness and action to protect the rights and safety of children in conflict zones.
The Human Cost of Conflict
The report emphasises that the casualties of these attacks are not merely statistics; they represent lives irrevocably altered. Lisa Chung Bender, director of the GCPEA, articulated the gravity of the situation, stating, “They are a warning that the global norms that once protected children are collapsing.” The implications are profound: with schools no longer viewed as safe spaces, the future of education hangs in the balance.
The impact of these attacks is particularly severe in regions like Nigeria, Myanmar, Yemen, and Cameroon, where over 1,700 educational staff and students have been killed or injured. In Nigeria alone, reports indicate that more than 700 individuals were kidnapped, while in Myanmar, the violence has led to the deaths of at least 80 students and staff, with approximately 240 others injured.
Gender-based Violence and Vulnerable Populations
The report also sheds light on the disturbing trend of gender-based violence in educational settings. In at least 11 countries, women and girls have been specifically targeted due to their gender. A tragic example occurred on 17 November 2025, when gunmen attacked a girls’ boarding school in Nigeria, resulting in the death of the vice-principal and the abduction of 25 female pupils.
Moreover, students with disabilities are not spared from this violence. On 11 September 2025, Israeli military actions in Lebanon involved the destruction of a school for children with special needs, showcasing the indiscriminate nature of conflict and its implications for vulnerable populations.
A Call to Action
Kieran King from the charity War Child UK highlighted that these attacks constitute serious violations of international law and humanitarian principles. The increase in violence has coincided with a shocking rise in the number of children living in conflict zones, which has surged by 60% since 2010. He lamented, “Over the same period, we’ve seen grave violations against children, including attacks on education, increase by 373%.”
The report advocates for immediate action to prevent further violence, calling on states to cease the military use of schools and to strengthen legal protections for educational institutions. Chung Bender asserts, “These attacks are preventable. We need states to end military use of schools, strengthen legal protection and accountability for attacks on education, and invest in monitoring, reporting, and early warning systems.”
Why it Matters
The ramifications of this escalating violence extend far beyond the immediate physical harm inflicted upon students and educators. The erosion of trust in educational institutions threatens the very foundation of society. As violence increasingly permeates the educational landscape, it jeopardises not only the right to education but also the prospects of future generations. The international community must rally to safeguard the sanctity of learning environments, ensuring that children can pursue education free from fear—a fundamental right that should never be compromised.
