15 of the most dangerous countries to go to school
Children in conflicts, Education in emergencies, Girls' education, Safe schools, Safe Schools Declaration
Many children around the world who are just trying to get an education run the risk of being attacked, abducted or having their schools used for military purposes.
Schools are supposed to be safe places where children can learn and be with their friends.
But hundreds of attacks on schools and use of classrooms for military reasons show a “blatant disregard” for international law and children’s lives, a UN report said recently.
The Safe Schools Declaration is commitment to protect education and stop military use of schools. Theirworld and others have been campaigning for countries to sign up to it.
So far 79 have done so. But only two of the world’s most powerful countries – the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – have done so. France and the United Kingdom have shown the way and we’re calling on China, Russia and the United States to follow their lead
Here’s a look at some of the most dangerous places for children to go to school.
South Sudan is in the throes of a tragedy for children that affects more than half the child population – victims of malnutrition, disease, forced recruitment, violence and the loss of schooling (United Nations )
Over 105,000 students have failed to resume their educations after 303 schools were re-opened gradually since mid-October in northern Rakhine, Myanmar in 2017 (UNHCR)
Armed jihadists have burned classrooms and threatened to attack other schools in Mali out of hostility to Western-style education (Watchlist)
Hundreds of schools are being destroyed in Afghanistan by the Taliban who have waged war on education (United Nations)
Armed groups are using schools in the Central African Republic meaning children are forced out of the classroom (Watchlist)
Violence and abuses associated with Colombia’s internal armed conflict have displaced millions of people. Schools have been targeted and teachers have received death threats (UNICEF / LeMoyne)
Conflict in DRC has forced 150,000 out of school as violence between militia fighters and security forces continues (World Bank / Dominic Chavez)
Missile strikes and attacks on schools have killed many children in Gaza and left thousands out of school (World Bank)
Students listen to their teacher during a class at the Ammar Ibn Yasser School in Mosul, Iraq. Most windows in the school remain broken and other parts of the structure are still being repaired (UNICEF / Yar)
Extra security measures were ordered around schools in Pakistan following a Taliban attack that left 132 children dead (UNHCR / Duniya Aslam Khan)
Sudan has experienced grave violations against children in recent years including the recruitment of child soldiers and attacks on schools (United Nations)
The crisis in Syria has had a profound impact on children’s lives and estimates indicate that 2 million children are currently out of school (Theirworld / Rosie-Lyse Thompson)
First grade students participate in a drill to practice their response during a shelling in a part of the school building with strong walls in Toretsk, Ukraine (UNICEF / Zmey)
Children return from school in the Basateen district in Aden, an area host to refugee and displaced communities and which has been particularly impacted by conflict (UNHCR / Shabia Mantoo)
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