By The UN has reported a significant increase in attacks against students and educational facilities, with incidents rising by 20 percent in 2022 and 2023 compared to the previous two years. This alarming trend was highlighted by UNESCO in a study conducted by the Global Coalition for Protecting Education from Attack, of which UNESCO is a member.
According to the report, there were approximately 6,000 attacks on students, educators, and educational institutions globally during this period. This total includes around 1,000 cases where schools and universities were used for military purposes. On average, this equates to eight attacks per day, marking a sharp rise from the previous years.
The report emphasizes that these attacks are disproportionately concentrated in countries experiencing armed conflict. The most affected regions include Myanmar, the Middle East (with a particular focus on Gaza), the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Ukraine, and Yemen. The increase in such violence against educational settings not only disrupts the learning environment but also poses significant risks to the safety and well-being of students and educators in these conflict-ridden areas.
