Introduction
The "Education Under Attack 2024" report by the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA) highlights the alarming global increase in attacks on educational institutions, their staff, and students. This comprehensive study covers incidents from 2022 to 2023, offering insights into the impacts of these attacks and the affected regions.
The Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA) is a unique inter-agency coalition formed in 2010, which brings together organisations working in the fields of education in emergencies, conflict-affected contexts, protection, and international human rights and humanitarian law. Their mission is to protect education from attack through advocacy, leveraging the strengths of their diverse memberships.
The report employs a comprehensive data collection methodology, analysing incidents of attacks on education from 2022 to 2023. The aims and objectives include documenting the frequency and nature of these attacks, identifying trends, and highlighting the specific impacts on various regions and vulnerable groups. In the 28 countries profiled in this report, at least ten attacks on education occurred over the past two years.
The key findings include several topics.
Firstly, the report underlines the increased attacks in specific regions. Attacks on education have surged in countries like Ukraine, Sudan, Palestine, Syria, and Nigeria. Such increase correlates with intensified conflicts and political instability in these regions. For instance, in Ukraine, schools have been damaged due to the ongoing conflict, with numerous reports of military use of educational facilities.
Secondly, the report addresses the newly affected countries, such as Egypt and Kyrgyzstan, which are newly profiled in this report, experiencing significant military use of schools and destruction of educational infrastructure. It is also mentioned how in Kyrgyzstan over 20 schools were damaged or destroyed, thus highlighting the widespread impact of regional conflicts on education.
Furthermore, the report tackles the question of military occupation of schools. Indeed, armed forces and non-state armed groups increasingly occupy schools and universities, using them for non-educational purposes. This trend has risen sharply, with over 1,000 incidents reported in 2022 and 2023, a 112 percent increase, states the UN. These occupations disrupt educational activities and expose students and staff to violence and psychological trauma.
Moreover, the use of explosive weapons represents a crucial challenge. In fact, explosive weapons were used in about one-third of all reported attacks on education, including airstrikes, rockets, and artillery shelling, thus causing not only immediate physical harm, but also long-term psychological effects on both students and educators.
Additionally, it is analysed the issue represented by targeted attacks on vulnerable groups: female students and teachers, as well as students from marginalised communities, face unique threats. The report asserts that in at least ten countries, gender-based attacks aim to prevent girls and women from receiving education. Moreover, students with disabilities and those from indigenous and ethnic minority communities are disproportionately affected.
Nonetheless the report promotes positive changes within the educational security field. It underlined the decrease in attacks in certain regions. Conversely, some countries like the Central African Republic, Libya, Mali, and Mozambique have seen a decrease in attacks on education due to shifts in conflict dynamics and de-escalation efforts. This highlights the potential for conflict resolution and stabilisation to improve educational security.
The impact of these attacks extends beyond immediate physical damage. They disrupt the educational process, instill fear, and contribute to long-term educational and developmental deficits. International organisations and local governments must collaborate to protect educational institutions, ensure safe learning environments, and support affected students and staff.
Conclusion and recommendation
It is clear how the "Education Under Attack 2024" underscores the urgent need for global attention and action to protect education from the devastating impacts of armed conflict and political instability. By highlighting both the increase in attacks and the instances where they have decreased, the report provides a roadmap for understanding and addressing the complex challenges facing education worldwide.
For more detailed insights, you can access the full report on the GCPEA website.
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To read more visit:
- GCPEA Report
- INEE on Education Under Attack 2024
- Amnesty International, Ucraina: l'aggressione russa continua a limitare l'istruzione
- UNICEF, Education under attack
- Geneva Global Hub for Education in Emergencies, Attacks on education: global challenges and responses
