Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
A statement issued by the European Union institutions in Brussels said that on the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, the European Union recalls that attacks on education deprive children of their fundamental right to learn, affect their immediate and long-term development and deprive them of a better and more peaceful future.
Attacks on schools and their military use expose children, especially girls and children with disabilities, to a particular risk of harm, making them more vulnerable to other grave violations.
Regrettably, attacks on schools and educational facilities have seen a significant increase, which constitutes violations of international humanitarian law.
The Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack identified around 6,000 attacks on students, teachers, schools and universities, which occurred in 2022 and 2023. This means an average of 8 attacks per day and an increase of around 20 percent compared to the previous two years.
More than 10,000 students and teachers were reportedly killed, injured, kidnapped, detained or otherwise harmed as a result of attacks on education in 2022 and 2023. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has devastated schools and kindergartens across the country. Since February 2022, more than 3,790 educational facilities have been damaged or destroyed. In Gaza, more than 92% of all school buildings have been damaged or destroyed. Every university in Gaza has been destroyed. That is why in June 2024, the European Union – together with the delegations of Jordan and Belgium – launched a Call to Action for Palestinian children in the West Bank and Gaza to raise awareness and increase humanitarian support. The EU reaffirms its firm commitment to continue promoting and protecting the right of every child to grow up in a safe environment and to have access to education, as required by international law and in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2601.

In line with the recently revised Guidelines on Children and Armed Conflict, the EU continues to provide comprehensive child protection measures, protect education for children in areas of armed conflict and support the implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration commitments, whether in Ukraine, Palestine, Mozambique, Niger, South Sudan, Colombia or other countries in conflict.

Last year, the EU invested over €162 million in education in emergencies projects that provide access to safe and quality learning and psychosocial support. The EU also allocated an estimated €142 million to child protection activities, which accounted for nearly 42% of the total protection budget in EU humanitarian aid.

It is imperative that everyone protect education from attack and address the impact of armed conflict and violence on children’s education. The right to education free from violence must be respected and fulfilled for every child, everywhere.