Attacks on educational institutions worldwide have surged by 40%, with over 8,556 incidents reported in 2024 and 2025, according to a new study from the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA). The alarming increase has resulted in more than 10,600 students and staff being killed, injured, abducted, or otherwise harmed across 83 countries, highlighting a growing crisis in education safety.

Rising Incidents Worldwide
The report indicates that the highest number of attacks occurred in Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Palestine, and Ukraine. Ukraine alone experienced approximately 900 attacks on schools, while Palestine reported at least 2,400 incidents affecting students and staff. The study reveals a disturbing trend: military forces or armed groups occupying educational facilities nearly doubled, with 1,912 documented cases.

Warnings from Experts
Lisa Chung Bender, director of the GCPEA, emphasized the report's findings as a critical warning about the deteriorating global norms that once protected children. She stated that the increasing violence signifies a shift towards a reality where children are no longer safe in educational settings. The report serves as a call to action, urging the international community to reinforce protections for students and educators.

Impact on Vulnerable Populations
The study also highlights the disproportionate impact of violence on women, girls, and students with disabilities. In at least 11 countries, attacks specifically targeted females. Notably, in Nigeria, a gunman assault on a girls' boarding school resulted in the vice-principal's death and the abduction of 25 female pupils. Additionally, students with disabilities faced unique challenges, as demonstrated by a controlled detonation by the Israeli military that destroyed a school for children with special needs in Lebanon.

Systematic Nature of Attacks
Prof. Tejendra Pherali from University College London described the rise in attacks as systematic rather than episodic. He pointed out that the increasing violence is not only a loss of educational opportunities but also a loss of safety and trust in educational institutions. The emotional toll on children who now view schools as unsafe environments is profound.

Violations of International Law
Kieran King from War Child UK condemned the attacks as grave violations of international law, including the Geneva Conventions. He noted that since 2010, there has been a 60% increase in the number of children living in conflict zones, underscoring the urgent need for global attention and action to protect education.

Wrap-up
The significant rise in attacks on educational institutions poses a severe threat to the safety and future of students and staff worldwide. The findings from the GCPEA report should serve as a wake-up call for governments and organizations to prioritize the protection of education in conflict zones and ensure that schools remain safe havens for learning.

Sources
theguardian.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team