Global Education Attacks Rise 40%: Study Highlights Growing Threats to Schools Worldwide

Global attacks on pupils, staff, and educational institutions have increased by 40%, according to a study reported by The Guardian on June 15, 2026. The findings indicate a significant escalation in violence targeting education systems worldwide, impacting both the physical safety of students and the stability of academic infrastructure.

The study highlights a trend of rising aggression against schools, which often serves as a proxy for broader regional conflicts. According to The Guardian, the 40% increase reflects a surge in targeted attacks on educators and the deliberate destruction of learning facilities.

This spike in violence occurs despite international frameworks designed to protect schools in conflict zones. The data suggests that educational environments are increasingly viewed as strategic targets or are being repurposed for military use, leading to higher casualty rates among non-combatants.

Why are attacks on education increasing?

The rise in attacks is linked to the proliferation of non-state armed groups and the intensification of urban warfare, according to the reported findings. In many conflict zones, schools are no longer treated as neutral zones. The study notes that the military occupation of schools—where classrooms are used as barracks or weapon depots—increases the likelihood of these sites becoming targets for airstrikes and shelling.

Beyond physical destruction, the study points to a rise in the targeting of staff. Teachers and administrators are frequently targeted for kidnapping or assassination to intimidate local populations or to dismantle secular education systems. This creates a “chilling effect” that forces qualified educators to flee, leaving thousands of students without access to basic instruction.

The Guardian reports that the increase is not limited to active war zones but also extends to areas experiencing high levels of civil unrest. In these regions, schools are often targeted during protests or as a means of political coercion.

How does this compare to previous trends?

The 40% increase represents a sharp acceleration compared to previous monitoring periods. Historically, reports from the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA) have shown steady or fluctuating levels of violence. A jump of this magnitude suggests a shift in how belligerents perceive the value of educational infrastructure.

While previous decades saw attacks primarily as “collateral damage” resulting from nearby fighting, the current data indicates a higher frequency of “intentionality.” The study suggests that the destruction of schools is being used as a deliberate tactic to erase cultural identity or to ensure long-term instability by denying future generations an education.

What is the impact on pupils and staff?

The immediate result of these attacks is the mass displacement of students. When a school is destroyed or occupied, the local community loses its primary safe space. According to the report, this leads to a sharp drop in enrollment rates, particularly for girls in regions where conservative armed groups actively oppose female education.

For staff, the risks include physical injury, death, and psychological trauma. The study emphasizes that the lack of protection for educators leads to a “brain drain” in the most vulnerable regions. Once experienced teachers are killed or forced into exile, the quality of education collapses even if the physical buildings are eventually repaired.

Pupils face not only the threat of physical violence but also the long-term loss of earning potential. The report links the 40% increase in attacks to a projected rise in child labor and forced recruitment into armed groups, as students who cannot attend school become more susceptible to exploitation.

What international protections are in place?

The primary international mechanism for protecting schools is the Safe Schools Declaration. This political commitment, endorsed by over 110 countries, encourages states to avoid using schools for military purposes and to protect students and educators during armed conflict.

However, the study reported by The Guardian suggests that the Declaration lacks a strong enforcement mechanism. While many countries have signed the document, the 40% increase in attacks indicates a gap between diplomatic commitment and on-the-ground reality.

Legal experts cited in reports on education under attack often argue that the deliberate targeting of schools can constitute a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Despite this, prosecutions for attacks on education remain rare compared to the volume of reported incidents.

The current data indicates that without a shift toward accountability and the strict removal of military assets from school grounds, the trend of escalating violence is likely to persist.