As attacks on schools rise by 33% in 2025, UNESCO calls for stronger protection of education

Paris, 9 September 2026 – On this International Day to Protect Education from Attack, UNESCO expresses its grave concern over the continued rise in attacks on schools around the world. In 2025, 1,680 attacks were recorded worldwide – a 33% increase compared to the previous year. More broadly, an estimated 258 million children and adolescents have had their education disrupted by crises worldwide, including 93 million who are entirely out of school.

“I am deeply alarmed by the sharp increase in attacks on schools, which are depriving children of safety, learning and hope. Schools and universities must be protected at all times. We call on all parties to conflict to respect international law and ensure that education can continue in safety and dignity, even in the midst of crisis.”, said UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany.

The latest global data reveal an alarming escalation in attacks on schools. In 2025, 1,680 attacks on schools were verified by the United Nations – an increase of 33% compared to 1,265 attacks in 2024.

Nearly 80% of all out-of-school crisis-affected children – some 74 million – live in just 20 countries facing the world’s most severe crises. Within these settings, the barriers to learning are steepest for the most vulnerable: 74% of refugee children, 52% of internally displaced children, and 45% of children with disabilities are out of school.

The consequences can last long after crises. The longer education is disrupted, the greater the risk that children will never return to school, and that girls, in particular, will face exploitation and abuse.

This trend reflects a broader deterioration in the protection of children during armed conflict. In 2025, the United Nations verified 38,558 grave violations against children, affecting 24,174 children – the highest number since the monitoring mandate began.

In response to these growing threats, UNESCO is mobilizing its partners on the ground in more than 20 countries affected by conflict and crisis, to act at three levels: to deliver concrete solutions to strengthen preparedness, to ensure learning continuity when schools are disrupted, and to accompany recovery after the immediate crisis subsides.

On these lines, with its partners, UNESCO is standing with people when everything else is under strain: supporting teachers and equipping schools with protective shelters in Ukraine; providing displaced children in Lebanon with mental health and psychosocial support through art and creative activities; backing students in Gaza to continue learning through temporary learning spaces and the Gaza Virtual Campus; strengthening community schools in Haiti; and implementing early warning mechanisms in Nigeria.

In April 2026, UNESCO’s Executive Board, under the chairmanship of Dr Nasser Bin Hamad Al Hinzab (Qatar), adopted a new Plan of Action to Protect Education from Attack, providing a global framework of action by the Organization in response to the growing number of attacks on schools and universities worldwide.

While these efforts help strengthen the resilience of education systems, full respect for international humanitarian law remains essential. On this International Day to Protect Education from Attack, UNESCO calls on all parties involved in conflicts to uphold their obligations under international law, fully implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 2601 (2021), and act on the commitments of the Safe Schools Declaration and the Nairobi Outcome Document, ensuring that everyone, everywhere, can learn in safety and dignity.

With the support of the State of Qatar, UNESCO and the Education Above All Foundation (EAA) marked the seventh International Day to Protect Education from Attack by launching at UNESCO Headquarters “The Crossing,” a temporary installation highlighting the growing number of attacks on schools and the urgent need to protect education in times of crisis.

With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and bringing people together by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 53 countries and employs over 2500 people. UNESCO oversees more than 2260 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of over 1500 Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and more than 13 000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions, with a global network of 201 National Commissions. Its Director-General is Khaled El-Enany.

“Since wars begin in the minds of women and men, it is in the minds of women and men that the defences of peace must be constructed” – UNESCO Constitution, 1945.

More information: www.unesco.org