On this International Day to Protect Education from Attack, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) champions the right of every girl and boy to access safe and equitable education, even in the most challenging situations.
“Education cannot wait for a conflict or crisis to be over so that refugee children can go home. Families caught up in conflicts spend an average of 17 years as refugees. When education is denied to children, hopes for a better, fairer future are lost.” - Yasmine Sherif, Director of Education Cannot Wait
Every child has the right to education but, for many, this right is violated. Schools around the world continue to face the threats of attack and armed violence. In difficult times, a child’s education is essential and provides them with protection, a sense of normalcy and hope for their future.
Launched in 2015, the Safe Schools Declaration urges countries to protect students, teachers, schools, universities – education itself – during armed conflicts. As part of this pledge, countries must support the continuation of education and implement concrete measures that deter the military or armed groups' use of schools and targeting of schools. These actions are crucial in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 so that every child can have access to safe, inclusive and holistic learning opportunities. Yet, as of July 2021, only 111 states have signed on to this declaration, and grave violations against children continue. ECW urges those who have not yet done so to sign on today.
As we commemorate the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, we highlight both inspiring and harrowing stories from the frontlines of conflict in Myanmar, Nigeria, South Sudan and Syria.
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