Escalating Violence Severely Impacts Education Across Africa, According to Save The Children

The latest report released by Save The Children has raised an alarming bell on the state of educational facilities across Africa, where there has been a substantial 20% increase in violent incidents in the previous year. The statistics are deeply concerning, with Nigeria and Sudan experiencing the highest number of attacks, 89 and 55 respectively, pushing the total number to 411 across the continent in 2023.

Two distinct wars are significantly contributing to this dire situation in Nigeria. In the northeast, a longstanding conflict led by Islamist extremists, notably Boko Haram, has had catastrophic human costs, while in the northwest, the activities of bandits are wreaking havoc across communities resulting in numerous violent deaths.

The situation in Sudan is no less dire, with internal strife and tensions between government forces and various factions leading to mass displacements and severe restrictions on basic amenities. Rising food costs are stretching the already thin fabric of society to its limits, compounded by increased reports of sexual and gender-based violence, family separations, and child soldiers.

Beyond these grim figures lie the collateral damage inflicted on education. Schools, once institutions for learning and growth, have become battlegrounds and targets for attacks – be they via drone strikes, teacher killings, or air raids – repurposing educational facilities for military use or targeting them directly has had devastating consequences. These acts of barbarity do more than damage infrastructure; they compromise the heart of communal life, creating pervasive fear and upending children’s fundamental right to a safe learning environment.

The report features the poignant reflection of Ibrahim Zanna Sunoma from Nigeria's National Children's Parliament, who eloquently expresses the long-term trauma such violence inflicts on young minds and the consequent erosion of their future prospects.

These concerning developments call for urgent intervention, and Mohamud Mohamed Hassan, the interim director of the Pan Africa Office and the AU representative for Save The Children, is pushing the African Union to take decisive measures to reverse this trend. Having presented the report during the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and government of the African Union, where education is a primary agenda, Save The Children emphasizes the need for immediate action to ensure the safety and continuity of education across the continent.

As Africa faces these unparalleled challenges in ensuring the right to education, the time is now to come together to protect its youngest citizens - to commit to the restoration of peace and education for all.