Global surge in violent attacks on schools threatens education and safety
Violent attacks on schools, students, and staff have increased by 40% worldwide, with over 8,556 incidents recorded in 83 countries during 2024 and 2025. The Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA) reports that at least 10,600 students and education personnel were killed, injured, abducted, or arrested in this period. This alarming rise highlights a growing threat to education and the safety of children and educators in conflict zones.
Why this matters
Education is a fundamental right and a critical pathway to safety and future opportunities for children. The sharp increase in attacks undermines these rights and disrupts learning environments, leaving students vulnerable and communities destabilized. The escalation also signals a breakdown in global norms that once protected schools from violence, risking long-term damage to education systems and social trust.
Key developments
- Attacks were reported in 83 countries, with the highest numbers in Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Palestine, and Ukraine.
- Ukraine experienced approximately 900 attacks on schools, while Palestine reported at least 2,400 attacks on students and staff.
- Military forces or armed groups occupying schools or universities nearly doubled, with 1,912 cases recorded.
- In Myanmar, Nigeria, Yemen, and Cameroon, over 1,700 students and staff were killed or injured.
- In Nigeria, more than 700 students and staff were kidnapped, including a notable attack on a girls’ boarding school where 25 female pupils were abducted.
- Students with disabilities were also targeted, such as the destruction of a school for children with special needs in Lebanon.
- The use of explosives, including drone-borne munitions, caused extensive casualties and infrastructure damage, forcing many schools to close.
Background
The report from GCPEA comes amid the highest number of state conflicts since World War II, with 65 conflicts recorded in 2025, including 13 classified as wars. More than 244,000 people died in organized violence that year, making it one of the deadliest periods in recent history. This context of increased armed conflict contributes to the rise in attacks on education.
Expert perspectives
Lisa Chung Bender, director of GCPEA, described the findings as a warning that global protections for children are eroding. She emphasized the need for stronger legal protections, accountability, and investment in monitoring and early warning systems to prevent further attacks.
Professor Tejendra Pherali of University College London called the pattern of attacks “systematic” and “increasingly strategic,” noting the devastating impact on children’s sense of safety and trust in education.
Kieran King from War Child UK highlighted that attacks on education violate international law and have increased alongside the rise in children living in conflict zones. He pointed to political impunity and aid cuts as factors worsening the situation.
What to watch
- Efforts by states and international bodies to enforce legal protections for schools and hold perpetrators accountable.
- Implementation of monitoring and early warning systems to detect and prevent attacks on education.
- Humanitarian responses to support affected students, staff, and communities, especially vulnerable groups such as girls and children with disabilities.
- Trends in global conflict and their impact on the safety of education environments.
Recommended reading
For more context, see related Peack News coverage and explainers linked below.
