2024 in Review – One in three children in conflict and fragile countries out of school – new analysis | Global News Avenue

According to new analysis from Save the Children, one in three children living in conflict or fragile countries around the world will be out of school by 2024, which is three times the global rate of out-of-school children. (1)

The study found that approximately 103 million school-age children, or one in three, live in 34 classified countries. world bank Those affected by conflict or vulnerable will miss out on educational opportunities in 2024. (2)

This is significantly higher than the 1 in 10 children globally who are out of school, highlighting the strong link between conflict or vulnerability and missed learning. (3)

In Sudan, 17.4 million children are out of school due to the ongoing conflict that began in April 2023. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes have destroyed 96% of school buildings since October 2023, housing all 625,000 school-age children Education missed. (4)

Nigeria, considered a conflict-affected country by the World Bank, has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children in the world, with more than 18 million children out of school, as poverty, insecurity and socio-cultural practices and norms keep children, especially children, out of school. Out-of-school girls intersect with education. The situation has been made worse by increasing attacks on schools, especially in the north of the country, and by devastating climate disasters such as September’s floods, which led the Borno state government to close all schools.

In September, 12-year-old Kyariyam* was displaced along with her family when their home in Borno state, northeastern Nigeria, was hit by flooding. The floods washed away all the family’s belongings, including the children’s books and uniforms, and destroyed half of the school. Save the Children supports Kyariyam*’s education through evening classes to make up for academic shortcomings.

“I feel very sad that I can no longer go to school. I often worry about how I will catch up. I love learning and my favorite subjects are maths, basic science, business studies and physical and health education.

“We need to rebuild our homes and we need to rebuild our schools. We also need clothes, uniforms and books so we can go back to school.”

Fragile states are those that are more vulnerable to crises such as war and climate disasters, and where governments do not have sufficient control over responsibilities such as legislation, law enforcement, managing the economy, and the services needed for the safety, health, and protection of their people. School and learning.

Progress has been made in reducing the number of children missing out on basic education stalled For more than a decade, a combination of underinvestment in education, restrictive government policies, devastating conflicts in places such as Sudan, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, climate change-related weather disasters, and attacks on education have Children are out of school.

Attacks on schools for educational and military purposes increased by almost 20% in 2022 and 2023 compared with the previous two years,(5) while the education of approximately 62 million children and adolescents in 27 countries has been disrupted by climate shocks since 2020 Interrupt(6).

James Cox, director of education advocacy and policy at Save the Children, said:

“Some 103 million children (one in three) living in the world’s most violent and fragile countries are out of school. Too many children are deprived of their right to education because their schools are damaged by conflict or climate-related weather disasters, education Devastated or devastated by attacks or crisis-fueled poverty, which leaves families unable to afford necessities. We know that conflict and crises increase the number of children forced into early marriage or child labour.

“Education in crisis settings saves lives. It protects children from violence, sexual and gender-based abuse, exploitation and recruitment into armed groups. It also provides life-saving learning, such as how to avoid unexploded bombs in communities. harm.

“Parents and children in humanitarian crises have repeatedly told us that education is their top priority. World leaders should listen to these children now and ensure that emergency funding needs for education are fully met by 2025, and approve and Implementing the Safe Schools Declaration as a priority All parties to the conflict must also ensure that schools are not targeted or used as military bases and that children have access to safe, quality education wherever they are.

Save the Children supports children around the world, providing safe learning spaces and access to healthcare, vaccinations and mental health support for people whose lives have been shattered by conflict. We also amplify children’s voices against child marriage and campaign for a greener, fairer future. The children’s rights organization also campaigns for and with children, calling for urgent action on the climate crisis and inequality to create a safe, healthy and happy future for children.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Save the Children.