Attacks on schools in conflict zones worldwide have surged by a “staggering 44 per cent” over the past year. Nigeria ranked fourth in the number of verified grave violations.
The countries with the highest numbers of grave violations were Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory (8,554), the Democratic Republic of Congo (4,043), Somalia (2,568), Nigeria (2,436), and Haiti (2,269).
UN Secretary-General António Guterres made these remarks in a message marking the International Day to Protect Education, observed annually on September 9.
According to the UN, Nigeria was among the countries recording the highest numbers of grave violations, with 2,436 incidents.
In his message, Guterres said, “each violation carries profound consequences, not only for teachers and young learners, but for the future of entire communities and countries.”
The UN chief added, “no child should risk death to learn.”
More than 41,000 incidents of violence against school-age children were reported by the UN in 2024.
These attacks resulted in the death, abduction, and trauma of thousands of teachers and students, the UN said.
The UN chief’s Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict for 2024 highlights not only a rise in attacks on schools but also a 34 per cent increase in rape and other sexual violence against children.
Additionally, the number of child victims of what the UN terms grave violations increased by 17 per cent due to abduction, recruitment, and other forms of violence — described by the UN as “an alarming escalation in brutality.”
With many schools on the front lines either closed or operating remotely, over 420,000 children attend school fully online, while one million follow a hybrid learning model.
Between January and July 2025, the UN and its humanitarian partners supported 370,000 children and teachers, mainly in frontline and host communities.
Parties to conflicts worldwide are required under international law to respect schools as safe spaces and hold accountable those responsible for attacks.
“The pen, the book, and the classroom are all mightier than the sword. Let’s keep it that way and protect the fundamental right of every child to learn in safety and peace,” Guterres said.
