Growing concerns over safety and security prompted UN Secretary-General António Guterres to address the global phenomenon on Wednesday – during his remarks at an event commemorating the International Day to Protect Education from Attack.
“Children’s education is being taken away by threats, violence and attacks.” Mr Guterres said this during his speech to a group of world leaders and education advocates.
Under fire
According to a new report from the nonprofit Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack, there were more than 3,000 reported attacks on education in 2022 — a 17 percent increase from the previous year.
The report shows that more than 6,700 students and teachers have been killed, injured, kidnapped or arrested – an increase of 20 percent.
Echoing some of the facts outlined in the report, the Secretary-General noted that attacks on education range “from direct attacks on places of learning to schools and universities used for military purposes – to students and teachers being kidnapped, arbitrarily arrested, injured, killed – and even recruited into the fighting.”
Many students go to school in appalling conditions, especially in countries like Ukraine; still suffer from Russia’s large-scale invasion.
According to news reports, some children in war-torn Ukraine started the new school year attending classes underground for safety reasons.
“We cannot always stop conflicts. But we can ensure that the children and young people experiencing these crises get the educational support they need,” said Mr Guterres.
The UN has outlined ways in which countries around the world can work together to protect education.
Safe schools
“That starts with all countries signing up to the Safe Schools Declaration, which sets out concrete measures and practices to ensure that places of learning – and the people within them – are protected at all times during armed conflict,” the UN chief noted.
Attacks on the education system are not the only factor keeping children out of school.
Others drop out of class due to social, economic or cultural challenges.
According to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO, an estimated 244 million young people are not in school.
Sub-Saharan Africa is the region where the most children and young people are out of school – an astonishing 98 million.
In second place with the second highest population density is Central and South Asia, with 85 million inhabitants, according to UNESCO.
We must do more
The UN reiterated the importance of education in creating a path to a better future for all and promoting a peaceful world for all. Mr Guterres urged world leaders to take immediate action for quality education.
“We can – and must – protect education from attack,” he concluded.