Attacks on Education Surge 40%, With 8,500 Incidents Recorded Worldwide

DID Press: Attacks on education have risen by more than 40 percent globally over the past two years, with at least 8,500 incidents documented across 83 countries, according to findings cited by Human Rights Watch.

The organization, citing the latest report by the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack, said more than 10,600 students, teachers, and education personnel were killed, injured, abducted, or otherwise affected by attacks during 2024 and 2025.

The report notes that incidents were recorded in 83 countries, including 55 affected by armed conflict, underscoring the growing vulnerability of educational institutions in war zones.

Regarding Afghanistan, the report highlights continued restrictions on girls’ education beyond sixth grade under the Taliban and the detention of some female teachers, describing such measures as serious attacks on access to education.

Senior researcher Felicity Pearce warned that the true scale of attacks is likely significantly higher, as escalating conflicts, restricted humanitarian access, and information disruptions prevent many incidents from being reported.

The report further states that global conflict levels have reached their highest point since the end of the Second World War, contributing to a sharp increase in threats against schools and universities.

The highest numbers of attacks on educational facilities were recorded in Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Palestine, and Ukraine. More than 900 attacks were reported in Ukraine alone, while over 2,000 incidents were documented in Palestine, where nearly all schools in Gaza had reportedly been damaged or destroyed by the end of 2025.

Researchers also found that military use of schools nearly doubled during the reporting period, with at least 1,900 cases recorded worldwide.

The report concludes with a call on governments, international organizations, and the United Nations to strengthen legal protections for students and educators, end the military use of schools, improve global monitoring of attacks, and take stronger preventive measures to safeguard education.