Violence and Insecurity Force Closure of Over 14,000 Schools in West and Central Africa

In West and Central Africa, more than 14,000 schools have closed due to escalating violence and insecurity, severely impacting hundreds of thousands of children, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). This troubling trend extends into 2024, with significant disruptions reported in countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In DRC alone, 1,457 schools have shuttered since January, affecting over 500,000 students and 12,700 teachers.

The NRC warns that attacks on education jeopardize the future of an entire generation, putting children at risk of recruitment by armed groups and exposure to violence. However, there are glimmers of hope: approximately 1,300 schools have reopened in Burkina Faso this year, and reports indicate a decrease in attacks on educational institutions in Mali and the Central African Republic.

As the International Day to Protect Education from Attack is observed, UNICEF highlights that millions of African children remain without access to education due to ongoing conflicts, with over 2,500 verified attacks on schools in the past nine years. The NRC calls on the international community to act urgently to protect education, emphasizing that every day a child is out of school is a day stolen from their future. They urge African states to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration and commit to funding educational initiatives in conflict zones.