War is disrupting the education of at least 52 million children in the Middle East and nearby countries, says Save the Children.
The organization reports that fighting has disrupted the education of millions of children. They have had to quit school, switch to online classes, or deal with constant disruptions because of damaged buildings, unsafe conditions, and people being forced to move.
Violence in the region is disrupting schools in multiple countries. Some schools are damaged, ruined, or being used as shelters for people who have been forced to leave their homes. Because of airstrikes, military activity, and people moving to escape the violence, many children cannot go to school safely.
Humanitarian organizations state that the education problem is happening at the same time as other dangers for children. These include trauma, being forced to move, and less protection from being used or hurt. When wars cause schools to shut down, children not only stop learning, but also lose important support, safe places, and regular schedules.
Aid organisations are warning that the longer schools remain disrupted, the greater the long-term consequences for young people. Interrupted schooling can lead to lasting setbacks in learning, increased dropout rates and heightened vulnerability for children already living in fragile environments.
Save the Children and other humanitarian agencies say emergency education programmes are being deployed in some areas to help maintain learning and provide safe spaces for children affected by conflict. These programmes aim to support children’s wellbeing while ensuring they remain connected to education during periods of crisis.
The organisation is also calling on the international community to increase humanitarian assistance and protect education systems during armed conflict, warning that without urgent action millions of children risk losing critical years of schooling as the regional crisis deepens.
Humanitarian agencies say the disruption highlights the growing impact of conflict on education systems globally and the urgent need to safeguard schools and learning environments during times of war.
