“On the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, the EU reaffirms its strong and unwavering commitment to promote and protect the right of every child to grow in a safe environment, to have access to quality education, and build better and more peaceful future,” Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčičv stated in this year’s presser.

The International Day to Protect Education from Attack is marked to make people aware of how the protracted nature of conflicts today affects entire generations of children. With 773 million illiterate adults, there is a clear need to protect education.

The day was declared in 2019 by the United Nations General Assembly. “The resolution proclaiming the Day was presented by the State of Qatar and co-sponsored by 62 countries. UNESCO and UNICEF were designated as the United Nations agencies responsible for raising awareness of the plight of the millions affected by attacks on education globally,” OCHA.

According to the 2022 Education Under Attack report, there were 5000 reported attacks on education and incidences of military use of schools and universities globally throughout 2021-2022. The Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack also reported that 9,000 students and educators were harmed in 85 countries.

“Attacks on education does not only result in physical injuries, but they may also lead to trauma and negatively affect children’s psychosocial well-being. Beyond destruction of facilities, attacks on education result in long-term suspension of learning and teaching: they increase the risk of school dropouts, lead to forced labour and recruitment by armed groups and forces. Obstructing access to education and school closures can have profound consequences for whole generations of children, but also bring about significant protection risks such sexual and gender-based violence or early and forced marriage,” he went on to state.

In response to the the ongoing attacks there is a need for a well-coordinated and inter-sectorial approach. That will also integrate education, protection, mental health and psychosocial support.