NEW YORK - A UN expert* today called for a global commitment to end impunity for the destruction of schools and ensure educational institutions are never used for military purposes.
"The deliberate targeting or military use of schools is a disregard for one of humanity's most vital institutions," warned Farida Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on the right to education, presenting her report on education in armed conflict to the General Assembly today.
"States must treat attacks on education, protected facilities and personnel as serious violations of international law," Shaheed said.
The Special Rapporteur noted that international norms protecting the fundamental right to education continue to apply in situations of armed conflict.
"The obligation to respect, protect and fulfill the right to education remains in force. Protections do not cease," she said.
Shaheed said the collapse of education systems undermines entire societies, perpetuating cycles of violence and poverty. "In war, a functioning school can mean safety from recruitment, sexual violence, child labour, forced and early marriage and exploitation. It can offer psychosocial healing and preserve the continuity of communities," she said.
Shaheed presented a policy brief on education in armed conflict and outlined eight policy actions to protect education in armed conflict, from prohibiting attacks and military use of schools and criminalising such acts under national law, to strengthening accountability, remedy and reparations, prevention of ideological manipulation of education, enhanced data collection and ensuring continuous, inclusive and quality education during crises.
She called on the international community to translate commitments into action: adopt national laws, prosecute perpetrators, fund education in emergencies and endorse and implement the Safe Schools Declaration.
The call comes amid an alarming rise in attacks on schools and protected civilian school personnel. She noted that global conflict has intensified, with nearly 130 armed conflicts recorded in 2024 and over 6,000 reported attacks on schools and universities, students and educators. Globally, an estimated 234 million school-aged children and adolescents, are affected by crises, including armed conflict. Alarmingly, this number has increased by at least 35 million in the past three years. More than 52 million children in conflict-affected countries were out of school last year.
"Education cannot be a casualty of war," Shaheed said. "Protecting education is not only a humanitarian imperative, it is a legal duty and a moral test of our shared humanity. Every destroyed school is a wound to the future. Each child denied learning is a warning that peace is slipping away."
