Dear Editor,
“Education must never become a casualty of war. No child should pay the price of a conflict they did not start.” — Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner.
Access to quality educational opportunities is a fundamental human right. Attacks on education deprive students of their basic right to quality education and impede teachers’ ability to carry out their work. Attacks on schools continue at an alarming rate in situations of armed conflict. Seven years after the first observance of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, armed conflict shows no sign of abating and continues to escalate around the world. The United Nations (UN) reports that attacks on education have also risen sharply over the past two years, with 8,566 reported attacks on educational institutions, compared with 6,000 in 2022 and 2023. Children faced “shocking” levels of violence in armed conflict in 2025, according to the UN Secretary General’s Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict. The United Nations verified 38,558 violations affecting 24,174 children the highest number of children affected since monitoring under the mandate began. Killing and maiming were among the most widespread violations. 14,224 children were killed or maimed, with killings up 34% and maiming up 10%. In recent times, the international community has witnessed attacks on schools in Nigeria, Ukraine, Gaza, Haiti, Mali, Afghanistan and Somalia. Unfortunately, the perpetrators of such attacks usually go unpunished.
The International Day to Protect Education from Attack, observed annually on 9 September, was established by the UN General Assembly in 2020 to mobilize the international community to protect learners, teachers and education institutions affected by armed conflict. This year’s global observance will take place on 9 September under the theme “Can education survive attack? The resilience of human communities.” This landmark Resolution highlights the urgent need to safeguard education in times of conflict. Importantly, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are co-facilitators of the annual observance, which serves as an opportunity to raise awareness and inspire action for the protection of education and the provision of support for students, teachers, and education communities in conflict zones.
The day was established by a unanimous decision of the UN General Assembly, calling on UNESCO and UNICEF to raise awareness of the plight of millions of children living in countries affected by conflict. The resolution proclaiming the Day was presented by the State of Qatar and co-sponsored by 62 countries. The General Assembly resolution affirms that governments have the primary responsibility to provide protection and ensure inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels to all learners, especially those in vulnerable situations. It further emphasizes the need to intensify efforts and increase funding to promote safe and protective school environments in humanitarian emergencies by taking all feasible measures to protect schools, learners and educational personnel from attack, refrain from actions that impede children’s access to education, and facilitate access to education in situations of armed conflict.
Education Should Never Be a Target
Too often the global community has been witness to blatant attacks on educational facilities which clearly contravene international laws. The world should not remain silent when such atrocities take place. Armed conflicts have devastating impacts on education, often turning schools, universities and other educational institutions into targets and battlegrounds. Educational institutions should always be safe havens, sources of knowledge, and pathways to foster peace and development. International humanitarian law recognizes the civilian nature of educational facilities, and mandates their protection under the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution.
Increase risks for Students Accessing Education
New technologies are changing warfare and increasing risks for children. The growing use of drones and artificial intelligence in targeting processes has enabled faster and more frequent strikes, including in densely populated areas, sometimes with limited human oversight.
These developments raise concerns about the risk of errors, reduced human control and greater harm to children. Stronger safeguards, transparency and accountability are needed to ensure new military technologies comply with international law and protect children’s rights.
Fighting increasingly took place in densely populated areas, exposing children to air strikes, artillery and explosive drones. Homes, schools, hospitals and other civilian infrastructure were damaged or destroyed, while children faced danger fleeing violence or seeking food, water and medical care.
The highest numbers of grave violations were verified in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Myanmar and Somalia. Government forces were responsible for the majority of verified grave violations.
The Safe Schools Declaration
In 2015, the governments of Norway and Argentina led a process among United Nations (UN) Member States to develop the Safe Schools Declaration, an inter-governmental political agreement dedicated to protecting education in armed conflict.
The Safe Schools Declaration outlines a set of commitments to strengthen the protection of education from attack and restrict use of schools and universities for military purposes. It seeks to ensure the continuity of safe education during armed conflict. The Declaration was opened for countries to endorse at the First International Conference on Safe Schools in Oslo, Norway, in May 2015.
In March 2017, the government of the Argentine Republic hosted the Second International Conference on Safe Schools, further building upon the development of a global community dedicated to protecting education in armed conflict. In May 2019, the government of Spain hosted the Third International Conference on Safe Schools in Palma de Mallorca, and in October 2021, the government of Nigeria hosted the Fourth International Conference on the Safe Schools Declaration in Abuja. In November 2025, Kenya hosted the 5th International Conference on the Safe Schools Declaration. To date, 123 states around the world have joined this international political agreement. In keeping with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals especially goal #4 governments must thrive to ensure inclusive and equitable education for all children. The resilience of humanity is not in question, but how long can education survive repeated attacks? The international community needs to speak with one voice.
In the words of the United Nations, the pen, the book and the classroom are all mightier than the sword. Let’s keep it that way and protect the fundamental right of every child to learn in safety and peace.
Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues.
Yours truly
Wayne Campbell
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo
