In the nearly 130 armed conflicts taking place worldwide, millions of children are denied safe access to education – a trend that continues to rise at alarming rates. Between 2022 and 2023, the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack documented more than 6,000 attacks on schools, universities, students and education personnel, as well as cases of military use of educational facilities – a 20 per cent increase on the previous two years. During the same period, over 10,000 students and education personnel were killed, injured, abducted or otherwise harmed. This worrying trend is confirmed by the United Nations, which reported a 44 per cent increase in attacks on civilian objects, including schools, in 2024. These figures are staggering – and likely underestimated.
This Commentary on the Guidelines for Protecting Schools and Universities from Military Use During Armed Conflict responds to this urgent reality. It draws on the ICRC’s first-hand experience in armed conflicts, analyses of state and non-state armed group practice, and consultations with education-in-emergencies and child protection organizations. Published on the 10th anniversary of the Safe Schools Declaration, it presents the ICRC’s legal interpretation of the Guidelines, with particular emphasis on their links to the rules of international humanitarian law (IHL) governing the conduct of hostilities and recommends good practices for effective implementation at the operational level. Through this Commentary, the ICRC seeks to support the endorsement and implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration and its Guidelines, enhance compliance with IHL, and ultimately strengthen the protection of education during armed conflicts – giving students the safety, hope and dignity they deserve.
