Protecting Education in Conflict
UN Highlights Education Protection Day Following Thousands of School Attacks
Anonymous
Key Points
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The resolution establishing the observance was introduced by Qatar and co-sponsored by 62 countries. UNESCO and UNICEF coordinate the annual observance with partners inside and outside the U.N. system.
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UNESCO and the Education Above All Foundation are using a temporary public installation called “The Crossing,” in which each strip represents a year and the number of attacks on schools recorded during that year, to illustrate the escalation of violence against education.
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UNESCO’s Executive Board endorsed a Preventative Plan of Action earlier in 2026, giving the organization its first comprehensive framework to help countries protect education before, during and after crises. The plan also created a dedicated Special Account to collect voluntary contributions for implementation.
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Under Article 50 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, an occupying power must cooperate with national and local authorities to facilitate the proper functioning of institutions providing care and education for children in occupied territory.
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Ukraine endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration in 2019, and its Cabinet of Ministers approved an action plan in 2021 to implement the declaration’s commitments.
The United Nations marked the International Day to Protect Education from Attack on September 9, highlighting an alarming surge in violence against schools worldwide. UN data shows 1,680 verified attacks on schools and grave violations affecting 24,174 children occurred in 2025 alone, with more than 8,500 attacks reported over the past two years across armed conflict zones.
The annual observance, established by the U.N. General Assembly in 2020 and this year themed "Can education survive attack? The resilience of human communities," calls on governments and armed groups to protect educational institutions and hold perpetrators accountable. International humanitarian law recognizes schools as civilian objects deserving special protection, yet attacks continue to disrupt learning for millions of vulnerable children.
A Record-Breaking Year of School Attacks
Violence against education has reached critical levels. UN verified 1,680 attacks on schools in 2025 and documented grave violations against 24,174 children that same year. Over just two years, the international community counted more than 8,500 total attacks on educational institutions worldwide, demonstrating the escalating threat to students and teachers in conflict regions.
Visual Installation Exposes the Escalation of Violence
To illustrate the growing danger, the Education Above All Foundation and UNESCO launched a public installation called "The Crossing" in Paris and Geneva. Each strip in the display represents one year, with the number of recorded attacks on schools for that year. The installation serves as a stark visual reminder of how violence against education has intensified over time, making the abstract numbers concrete and visible.
New Framework Gives Nations Tools to Prevent Future Attacks
UNESCO's Executive Board endorsed a Preventative Plan of Action in 2026, marking the organization's first comprehensive framework to help countries shield education systems before, during and after crises. The plan created a dedicated Special Account to collect voluntary contributions for implementation, enabling nations to build stronger defenses for schools and invest in resilient education infrastructure that can withstand conflict.
International Law Protects Schools, but Enforcement Remains Weak
Under the Fourth Geneva Convention, occupying powers must cooperate with local authorities to ensure schools and child care facilities continue functioning in occupied territory. The Safe Schools Declaration urges countries to prevent military attacks on schools and restrict military use of educational buildings. Yet many nations have not acted decisively. UN officials and humanitarian organizations are demanding states and armed groups uphold these laws, prosecute violators, and invest in protecting vulnerable children including girls and those tied to armed groups.
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