Global Education Crisis: The UN's Efforts to Reach Millions of Children in Conflict Zones
The United Nations is making significant strides to ensure that millions of children affected by crises have access to education. From makeshift furniture in conflict zones to innovative solutions like solar-powered tablets, the organization is working tirelessly to provide learning opportunities for children who are often the most vulnerable.
According to recent data, 234 million school-age children worldwide are impacted by conflicts. Out of this number, 85 million children are completely out of school. Helena Murseli, who leads the UN Children's Fund’s (UNICEF) Global Education in Emergencies team, described these figures as "unprecedented." She emphasized that these challenges are not isolated incidents but part of a global pattern of escalating conflict that affects children's right to education.
The Consequences of Missing Education
Education plays a crucial role in both the short and long-term development of children. Murseli highlighted that education is not only lifesaving but also life-sustaining and life-changing. When schools close, families lose their anchor, and children miss the structure, safety, and normalcy that education provides. This shift can lead to a reality focused on immediate survival rather than building a future.
In the long term, the consequences are even more severe. Education breaks cycles of conflict and poverty. When entire generations miss out on schooling, countries lose the human capital needed for recovery and development. This risk creates what Murseli calls a "lost generation" — children who grow up knowing only crisis, without the skills or hope to rebuild their society.
Sudan: A Major Education Emergency
Sudan is currently facing the world's largest education crisis, with an estimated 19 million children out of school and 90% of schools closed nationwide due to ongoing violence. To address this, over 2.4 million children have returned to school through more than 850 Makanna centers run by UNICEF. These centers provide a safe space for learning and support.
Additionally, UNICEF has supported over 250,000 children with holistic education services, including water, sanitation, nutrition, and protection. The use of solar-powered tablets has also been introduced, which is particularly effective in a country with over 10 hours of daily sunshine. A $400 million Transitional Educational Plan led by UNESCO aims to restore access to education and vocational training.
Gaza: Destruction of Schools
In Gaza, the war has led to the destruction of 95% of educational infrastructure, leaving over 660,000 children out of school. Many former UN-run schools are now being used as shelters for displaced people. A report to the UN Human Rights Council found that Israeli forces systematically destroyed education infrastructure, raising concerns about possible war crimes.
Despite these challenges, efforts are underway to provide temporary learning spaces. More than 68,000 children in Gaza have been reached through these spaces, which offer education and psychosocial support. UNICEF is also recycling pallets into school furniture and converting boxes into tables and chairs. Digital tools have been provided to nearly 300,000 Palestinian refugee children to help them study literacy and numeracy lessons.
Ukraine: Education Under Fire
In Ukraine, 5.3 million children face barriers to education, with around 115,000 completely out of school due to the ongoing war. Over 420,000 children attend school fully online, while 1 million use a hybrid model. However, energy shortages have reduced online learning to as little as two and a half hours each day, and in-person schooling is often disrupted by attacks.
In Russian-controlled areas, authorities are enforcing a militarized, patriotic curriculum and banning the Ukrainian language, actions that violate international law. To adapt, UNICEF has established 150 student learning centers and offers catch-up classes in maths and Ukrainian language. Schools are also being run in underground metro systems and bomb shelters.
The Cost of Inaction
As humanitarian funding continues to decline, education programs face dramatic cuts. Murseli stressed that despite being families' top priority in emergencies, education receives only 3% of humanitarian aid. With potential funding cuts of up to 45% by the end of the year, she called for urgent prioritization of education.
Amid discussions of a "humanitarian reset," Murseli emphasized that holistic education programs are essential for helping children thrive during and after crises. She concluded that the cost of inaction far exceeds the investment needed to ensure every crisis-affected child has access to education.
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