FAIRFIELD, Connecticut (September 9, 2022) – The Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attacks (GCPEA), in its report for the 3rd UN International Day to Protect Education from Attacks, found that in Myanmar the number of violent attacks on schools increased from 10 in 2020 to 10 in 2021. He said the number had risen to more than 190.

Attacks on schools have occurred in 13 states and territories, up from 3 in 2020, as conflict escalates in Myanmar after the February 2021 occupation.

report, Impact of attack on education and military use in Myanmar, also found that military use of schools and colleges increased sharply after the acquisition, with more than 170 cases reported in 2021. The Myanmar military and armed groups primarily used the educational facility as a base, detention site, weapons storage, and combat position. The use of schools by armed forces and armed groups disrupts education because conflicting parties usually damage schools and universities and their presence endangers students. In many cases, educational institutions are closed, sometimes leading to years of learning setbacks. Families are particularly cautious about sending girls to schools used by armed forces or armed groups for fear of becoming victims of sexual or other forms of violence.

Military use of schools and close combat also increases the risk of explosive war debris, including unexploded ordnance, contaminating schools and routes to and from them, creating long-term hazards. , could transform schools and universities from civilian objects into legitimate military purposes, exposing them to attack. For example, the GCPEA found that more than a quarter of her schools and colleges used for military purposes in Myanmar in 2021 were subsequently targeted, threatening lives and destroying educational infrastructure.

“Myanmar’s armed forces and armed groups should take all feasible measures to avoid using schools and universities,” said GCPEA Executive Director Diya Nijhowne. “Studies show that military use of schools increases the risk of violence, sexual abuse, and recruitment of children by armed forces and armed groups, and can target learning spaces, students, and teachers. is shown.”

About 40% of all reported military uses of schools, colleges and other educational facilities in 2020 and 2021 occurred in Myanmar, according to a GCPEA study. Education Under Attack 2022 report. Over the past two years, military use of educational facilities has occurred in 24 countries, doubling that total compared to the 2018 and he 2019 periods.

The Safe Schools Declaration is a political commitment to protect students, educators, schools and universities in times of armed conflict, endorsed by 114 countries, including limiting the military use of schools. It plays an important role in preventing attacks on education and mitigating their effects.By approving the declaration, each country Guidelines for protecting schools and universities from military use during armed conflictAs of 2015, more than a dozen countries have made changes to national policies and practices, including military manuals, to limit the use of schools for military purposes.

Myanmar military and armed groups guidelines Comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2601 (2021), which urges all parties to armed conflict to respect the civilian character of schools. In addition, all non-state armed groups must also sign the Geneva Call pledge for the protection of children from the effects of armed conflict, including the protection of educational spaces.

“On this International Day to Defend Education from Attack, armed forces and armed groups in Myanmar and around the world must ensure that learning does not become a victim of conflict and that fighting does not occur on school grounds.” said Nijhowne. “Safe and quality education must continue during conflict so that children have the capacity and knowledge to normalize their lives and rebuild and achieve just and peaceful societies. ”

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“Impact of attacks on education and military use in Myanmar” available here.

The Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA) is a coalition of United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations working in the fields of education, protection and higher education in emergencies.

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