UNICEF sounds alarm over funding cuts as six million children face denial of school by 2026

UNICEF sounds alarm over funding cuts as six million children face denial of school by 2026
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The UN children’s agency UNICEF has issued a warning that continued cuts to global education funding could force up to six million children out of school by the end of 2026, Khaama Press reported.

In a statement posted on X on Sunday, December 28, UNICEF said children in crisis-hit regions, including Somalia and Palestine, face losing access to schooling and essential services provided through schools.

UNICEF stressed that education for every child is “life-saving and life-changing,” urging donors and governments to shield learning systems from the impacts of conflict and humanitarian crises.

According to the agency, schools in fragile settings often serve as more than learning spaces, providing food, psychosocial support, and a sense of safety for vulnerable children.

Prolonged conflicts, displacement, climate shocks, and economic pressures have already disrupted education for millions worldwide, with funding gaps widening as humanitarian needs increase.

UNICEF warned that shrinking budgets threaten not only education but also children’s access to nutrition, mental health care, and protection services linked to schools.

The agency said the loss of these services could deepen long-term inequalities, increasing risks of child labour, early marriage, and exploitation.

Meanwhile, UNICEF called on international donors to urgently reverse funding cuts and prioritize education as a core humanitarian response.

It added that sustained investment in children’s education is critical to preventing a “lost generation” and ensuring stability and recovery in crisis-affected societies.