The UN reported more than 41,000 incidents of violence against school -age children in 2024.
The countries with the highest levels of violations were Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, especially the Gaza Strip, the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC), Somalia, Nigeria and Haiti.
In a message to commemorate the International Day to protect education, commemorated annually on September 9, the UN Secretary General, António Guterres said that “each violation involves deep consequences, not only for teachers and young students, but for the future of entire communities and countries,” and added that “no child should risk death to learn.”
The UN Annual Report on children and armed conflicts by 2024 highlights not only an increase in attacks against schools, but also a 34 percent increase in rape and other forms of sexual violence perpetrated against children.
In addition, the number of children victims of what the UN calls segments rapes increased by 17 percent as a result of kidnapping, recruitment and other types of violence, characterized by the UN as “an alarming escalation in brutality.”
GAZA CHILDREN PRIVATE OF RIGHT TO EDUCATION
In Gaza, where more than 2.3 million people have been displaced by the two -year war, 660,000 children remain out of school and have turned the classrooms into shelters.
“There is no education now. We live inside the school, where we are displaced, eating and sleeping,” said Diana, a girl who lives in Gaza.
Despite the continuous conflict, more than 68,000 children in Gaza have been achieved through temporary learning spaces that offer psychosocial education and support.
The UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, is also recycling pallets in school furniture and the conversion of boxes supplied in tables and chairs.
Children play in the middle of the ruins of a school in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Barriers to Education in Ukraine
In Ukraine, 5.3 million children face barriers for education, and around 115,000 are completely out of school due to the current war.
“1,850 facilities have been damaged since the beginning of the conflict,” said Nelson Rodrigues, a UNICEF education specialist.
With many schools in the first closed line or operating remotely, more than 420,000 children attend the school completely online, while one million uses a hybrid model.
UNICEF has supported the rehabilitation of the school facilities affected by the war, which has allowed a considerable number of children to return to the classroom.
The UN agency has also provided the day and corrective learning, allowing children to recover from interruptions and continue their education.
Meanwhile, between January and July of this year, the UN and its humanitarian partners have supported 370,000 children, mainly in the first -line communities and hosts.
Respect schools
The parties in conflict anywhere in the world are obliged by international law, to respect schools as security places, and hold those responsible for the attacks.
“The pen, the book and the classroom are more powerful than the sword,” said the UN Secretary General, Guterres.
“Let’s keep like this and protect the fundamental right of each child to learn in security and peace.”