Armed violence closes more than 14,000 schools in Africa, leaving millions of people without an education

Education in conflict-affected areas of West and Central Africa is increasingly under threat. According to a recent report by the Education in Emergencies Working Group (EiEWG), armed violence has led to the closure of 14,364 schools in 24 countries in the regions as of June 2024, significantly impacting the education of millions of children. This is a significant increase from 2023, when 13,200 schools were closed. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) called for urgent international efforts to protect children’s right to education in these regions in a statement by Ousmane Drabo, its regional media advisor, on Monday 9 September.

The deliberate targeting and occupation of schools has created an environment of fear. “Education is under siege in West and Central Africa. The deliberate targeting of schools and the systematic denial of education due to conflict is nothing short of a catastrophe. Every day a child is kept out of school is a day stolen from their future and the future of their communities,” Hassane Hamadou, NRC’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, stressed the gravity of the situation in the statement.

HumAngle’s ongoing reporting on conflict-affected communities shows that these school closures are more than just a disruption to learning. They are a sign of how armed groups are using education as a battleground. They are weaponizing the right to learn by targeting students, teachers, and education infrastructure.

The situation is particularly dire in the DRC. The NRC statement shows that 1,457 schools have been closed in the country since January 2024, leaving more than 500,000 students and 12,700 teachers neglected. It also says that armed groups are reportedly occupying school buildings, further disrupting the learning process and creating dangerous conditions for children and teachers.

Cameroon faces similar challenges, with 1.4 million children in urgent need of education support due to the combined effects of multiple crises. In Burkina Faso, one in four schools closed in 2023, affecting more than 2.5 million children in the region, according to an analysis by Education Cluster, NRC and UNICEF data.

School closures exacerbate the vulnerability of children in conflict zones, particularly girls, who are at greater risk of early marriage and sexual exploitation. Without access to education, girls are more at risk of gender-based violence and poverty. The recruitment of children by armed groups not only disrupts their education, but also perpetuates cycles of poverty and instability, making it harder for families and communities to recover from conflict.

The NRC emphasizes that without urgent intervention, the region runs the risk of losing an entire generation of highly educated young people, which will have far-reaching socio-economic consequences in the long term.

Despite the alarming increase in school closures, there are signs of progress. The NRC statement reveals that in Burkina Faso, around 1,300 schools have reopened between October 2023 and June 2024, allowing thousands of children to return to their classrooms. Similarly, a decline in violence has led to fewer attacks on schools in Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR) in the period 2022-2023.

“The reopening of schools in Burkina Faso and the reduction in attacks on education in Mali and the Central African Republic show that progress is possible,” Hamadou said. “We must build on this momentum to ensure all children have access to safe, inclusive, quality education.”

On the International Day for the Protection of Education from Attack, the NRC calls on the international community and parties to conflict to prioritize the protection of schools and educational infrastructure. Hamadou urged that immediate and sustained action is needed to protect students and teachers, end the occupation of schools, and provide adequate funding for education programs in conflict-affected regions.

“Education is a lifeline for children in crisis. We cannot allow violence to rob them of their future,” Hamadou stressed.