Photo credit: Charlotte FORTUN
Action Education, an international development NGO, denounces the increasing attacks on schools by armed groups. According to the latest report by the Secretary General of the United Nations, 1163 attacks against schools were recorded in 2022 (+112%). Millions of children, exposed to the worst conflicts, are today deprived of education and the first victims of armed conflicts. Action Education calls on the international community and the countries that have ratified the Safe School Declaration to take action against these serious violations of children's rights, which jeopardise the future of entire generations.
United Nations report : Increase in attacks on schools and hospitals
163 attacks on schools and 647 attacks on hospitals were recorded in 2022, according to the latest report from the Secretary General of the United Nations. The Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, reported a total of 27,180 grave violations, an increase of 112% on the previous year. She expressed concern about the number of children detained (2,500) and theThe report highlights the widespread use of schools for military purposes by both armed forces and armed groups. The report highlights that The greatest number of violations are currently recorded in Sudan, Myanmar and Burkina Faso, where Action Education has been working for several years.
Millions of children, the first victims of crises
More than a million children are currently deprived of their right to education Burkina Faso, with the closure of 24% schools, or 6,334 educational establishments (as at 31 March 2023), due to the numerous attacks carried out by non-state armed groups. They set fire to and ransack schools, and are aimed directly at teachers and pupils. " This is one of six serious violations of children's rights in wartime identified and condemned by the UN Security Council since 2005.. As we can see today in Burkina Faso, but also in many other countries around the world, these violations are still being committed, and are even on the increase, and they make children the first victims of these conflicts. "insists Vanessa Martin, Head of Plaidoyer for Action Education.
Action Education denounces an absolute emergency in Burkina Faso
The Action Education teams, who have been working in the east of the country for many years, have noticed that the increase in terrorist attacks in recent months, particularly in areas that had previously been considered "safe", leading to the closure of a number of schools (up to 88%), and the student travel.
"These multiple conflicts compromise the very future of entire generations. Untended by professionals, deprived of education and, more often than not, of interaction with parents able to give them the attention they need, these children cannot develop their resilience, i.e. their ability to bounce back from trauma. They will not acquire the cognitive abilities they need to learn and, above all, to know how to live, and will suffer the lifelong impact. This is why we are asking the international community and the signatory countries of the Safe School Statementincluding Burkina Faso and France, to take action to protect the right to education". adds Vanessa Martin, Head of Advocacy at Action Education.
For further information:
- Emergency aid for 483 displaced students in Burkina Faso
- Ensemble pour une éducation publique résiliente face aux crises au Burkina Faso (EEPR)
- Aide et Action ensures educational continuity for displaced students in Burkina Faso in the face of security risks
- Following the closure of schools due to insecurity in Burkina Faso, Aide et Action supports displaced students
- Burkina Faso: Over 1,300 schools closed due to insecurity
