Record attacks on education disrupt learning for millions
A global fund warns that unprecedented violence has forced 93 million children out of school, with 2025 marking a record high for attacks on learning institutions.
As September marks the traditional start of the academic year in the northern hemisphere, a stark reality persists for a vast number of students worldwide. According to Education Cannot Wait, the global fund for education, 93 million children are currently out of class due to an unprecedented surge in attacks on learning institutions. This disruption is part of a broader crisis affecting 258 million children across 87 countries, where insecurity and conflict have severely interrupted educational access.
The organization highlighted that the current situation is defined by increasing conflict and eroding global norms. Maysa Jalbout, the director of the fund, described the consequences of prolonged denial of schooling as immediate and profound. She noted that such disruptions lead to lost literacy and routines, often leaving young people vulnerable to recruitment by armed groups or trafficking networks rather than guidance from teachers.
Rising Violence in Learning Environments
Data cited by the fund indicates that 2024 and 2025 have seen record-high levels of attacks on education and the military use of schools. In 28 profiled countries, at least 9,259 attacks were recorded, representing a significant increase compared to the previous two years. Over 3,600 of these incidents specifically targeted schools, while more than 10,600 students and educators suffered from being killed, injured, or abducted.
The military utilization of educational facilities has nearly doubled, further compromising the safety of students and staff. According to the report, this trend reflects a broader pattern of decreasing restraint in conflict zones. The normalization of using schools for military purposes exacerbates the danger, turning spaces meant for learning into potential targets for violence.
Geopolitical Context and Vulnerable Populations
UNESCO emphasized the obligation for all parties to conflict to respect international law and spare education from attack. The agency noted that the burden of out-of-school children is heavily concentrated, with nearly eight in 10 crisis-affected children living in just 20 countries. Within these settings, the most vulnerable groups face the steepest barriers, including refugee children, internally displaced persons, and those with disabilities.
Recent UN data reports that 24,174 children were impacted by serious violations in 2025. Killing, maiming, and recruitment remain widespread issues, with fighting increasingly taking place in densely populated areas. This exposes children to airstrikes and artillery, while homes and schools suffer damage. The highest number of verified grave violations was reported in the region of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Myanmar, and Somalia.
Looking Ahead to Global Stability
For the first time, government forces have been identified as responsible for the majority of verified grave violations against children. This shift underscores the complex nature of current conflicts and the need for robust international oversight. The UN and its partners maintain that education serves as a critical protective factor, offering stability and skills necessary for community rebuilding.
Observers will watch for increased diplomatic pressure on conflict parties to cease the use of schools for military purposes. The coming months may see further reports from the GN geopolitics/war (en-US) desk detailing the impact of ongoing conflicts on civilian infrastructure. The focus remains on whether international norms can be reinforced to protect the right to learning in crisis zones.
