Attacks on Education

Attacks on education occur around the world, both inside and outside of situations of armed conflict. In many regions, armed groups intentionally target schools, teachers, and students. In addition to putting children at risk of injury or death, such attacks can thwart students’ chance to get an education. Attacks on schools, teachers, and students can cause children to drop out or go to school less often, force schools to cut their hours, and destroy school buildings and materials. In environments of violence and fear, the quality of children’s education is severely diminished. Human Rights Watch defines “attacks on education” as encompassing the full range of violations that place children at risk and deny them access to education. This includes attacks on school infrastructure and on teachers and students; the occupation and use of schools by the police and military; harassment and threats against teachers, parents, and students; and the recruitment of children from schools to become soldiers. Human Rights Watch calls on states to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration, an international commitment to protect schools and universities from being attacked or used for military purposes in times of armed conflict.