UNICEF Warns of the Impact of Conflicts on Children’s Right to Education in the Middle East and North Africa
UNICEF Warns of the Impact of Conflicts on Children’s Right to Education in the Middle East and North Africa
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned of the escalating repercussions of armed conflicts on children’s right to education in various parts of the Middle East and North Africa, considering the damage to schools, the displacement of students, and the interruption of education for many children.
The organization stated that the ongoing conflicts have resulted in the bombing and destruction of several schools, while some educational institutions have been turned into shelters for the displaced or used for military purposes, depriving children of a safe and stable educational environment.
UNICEF pointed out that other schools have become devoid of their students after many families were forced to flee violence, while other children were unable to reach their schools or were compelled to discontinue their education entirely.
The organization emphasized that the consequences of school closures or destruction go beyond the loss of learning opportunities for children, extending to depriving them of the sense of safety, stability, and daily routine provided by the school environment, along with the psychological and social effects that conflicts imprint on their lives.
UNICEF stressed that “education should not be another victim of conflict,” affirming that access to education is a fundamental right for every child that must be protected and ensured even during times of crises and wars.
The organization called for the protection of schools and children from the consequences of conflicts, the prevention of using educational facilities for military purposes, and ensuring the conditions that allow students to continue their education in safe environments.
UNICEF reiterated that safeguarding children’s right to education is a shared responsibility, warning that the continuation of conflicts and the deprivation of generations from schooling threaten the future of both children and societies alike.
