{"id":20628,"date":"2026-09-01T03:01:34","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T03:01:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edumarkng.com\/news\/warning-over-8500-attacks-targeted-schools-in-two-years-guterres-urges-stronger-action-to-protect-education\/"},"modified":"2026-09-01T03:01:34","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T03:01:34","slug":"warning-over-8500-attacks-targeted-schools-in-two-years-guterres-urges-stronger-action-to-protect-education","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edumarkng.com\/news\/warning-over-8500-attacks-targeted-schools-in-two-years-guterres-urges-stronger-action-to-protect-education\/","title":{"rendered":"Warning Over 8,500 Attacks Targeted Schools in Two Years, Guterres Urges Stronger Action to Protect Education"},"content":{"rendered":"
Warning Over 8,500 Attacks Targeted Schools in Two Years, Guterres Urges Stronger Action to Protect Education, , <\/p>\n
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By Funke Babs-Kufeji<\/p>\n
United Nations Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres has warned that more than 8,500 attacks have targeted schools, students and teachers worldwide over the past two years, calling for urgent action to protect education from conflict and violence.<\/p>\n
Guterres issued the warning in a message marking the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, observed on September 9.<\/p>\n
He described education as both a fundamental human right and a passport to a better future, but cautioned that accessing it is becoming increasingly dangerous for millions of children and young people caught in conflict zones.<\/p>\n
\u201cEducation is a passport to a better future for every child and young person. It is also a fundamental human right. But exercising that right is becoming increasingly dangerous,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
According to the UN chief, the attacks recorded over the past two years have unleashed deadly violence, abductions and deep psychological trauma, turning places meant for learning and safety into scenes of fear.<\/p>\n
He stressed that all States have a responsibility to guarantee every child\u2019s right to education while ensuring that schools and other places of learning remain safe.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll parties to conflict must stop and prevent attacks on schools and other education institutions, meet their obligations under international law and hold perpetrators accountable,\u201d Guterres said.<\/p>\n
He also urged countries to invest in education, fully endorse and implement the Safe Schools Declaration, and support the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack.<\/p>\n
Beyond physical security, he called for education systems to be better prepared to withstand attacks and disruption, both in classrooms and online, with particular attention given to girls and children living in vulnerable circumstances.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must work together to prepare and protect education systems, both in person and online, particularly for girls and children in vulnerable situations,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Guterres further highlighted the need to safely reintegrate children and young people associated with armed forces and groups into schools and their communities, noting that education can play a critical role in helping them rebuild their lives.<\/p>\n
The United Nations, he said, provides countries with a range of tools to strengthen these efforts, including practical guidance and policy support from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether, let\u2019s keep children safe as they learn and build the peaceful futures they deserve,\u201d the Secretary-General said.<\/p>\n
, Education \u2013 THISDAYLIVE, September 1, 2026, 3:01 am<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Warning Over 8,500 Attacks Targeted Schools in Two Years, Guterres Urges Stronger Action to Protect Education, , By Funke Babs-Kufeji United Nations Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres has warned that more than 8,500 attacks have targeted schools, students and teachers worldwide over the past two years, calling for urgent action to protect education from conflict and violence. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3,1937,1938,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20628","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-education","category-education-education","category-nigeria-education","category-school-matters"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t