Nearly 15,000 schools across West and Central Africa have been forced to close due to violence and conflicts.
Since 2019, the number of closures has almost doubled rising from fewer than 8,000 to over 14,800, alert the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in a report published on the occasion of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack.
In 2025, an estimated three million children have been affected by school closures due to violence and conflicts. This comes at a time when cuts to global aid threaten to undermine efforts to keep children safe and enable them to continue learning in conflict-affected areas.
“Behind every closed classroom door is a child carrying invisible scars. The stress, fear, and uncertainty children endure when schools are attacked or shut down can be just as damaging as the loss of learning itself. We urgently need to invest in psychosocial support and safe learning environments, so children can heal, regain a sense of normalcy and rebuild hope for their future,” said Hassane Hamadou, NRC Regional Director for West and Central Africa
Over the past year, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria reported the sharpest increases in school closures.
Meanwhile, the Central Sahel has experienced a slight increase in school closures since January 2024. In Cameroon, some progress has been made, with schools reopening in the Northwest and Southwest despite ongoing insecurity.
Adolescent girls are among the most affected. Attacks on schools and prolonged closures worsen existing gender inequalities, driving child marriage and early pregnancy. Girls are often the first to drop out and the last to return when schools are attacked or disrupted.
The consequences extend far beyond lost years of learning. Children and teachers who survive school attacks may suffer long-lasting trauma, health complications, and stigma, making it even harder to resume education and rebuild their futures.
“Schools are more than places of learning; they are a lifeline, a refuge, and a home in times of crisis. Education protects children, restores hope, and gives them a chance to rebuild their futures,” said Gilles Fagninou, UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa.
UNICEF and partners call on all parties to conflict to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, protect schools and students from attack, and honour their commitments under the Safe Schools Declaration.
Urgent support is needed to ensure that education continues to provide safety, stability and opportunity for millions of children in the region.
GIK/APA