Education Cannot Wait Invests $500,000 To Defend Global Education Against Attacks

In a significant move to bolster global and regional efforts in safeguarding education amidst crises, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) has announced a substantial grant aimed at protecting educational institutions, students, and educators worldwide. The newly unveiled US$500,000 Acceleration Facility grant to the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA) marks a pivotal step in the fight against the increasing attacks on education. These attacks not only disrupt the learning process but also pose severe risks to the safety and well-being of children and teachers in conflict zones.

With an alarming 17% increase in attacks on educational settings recorded in 2022, reaching over 3,000 incidents, the urgency of addressing this issue has never been more apparent. Conflict zones such as Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, among others, have seen a disturbing rise in violence targeting educational facilities. This trend threatens to escalate further, jeopardizing the rights and safety of millions of children and educators.

The grant aims to enhance global and regional policies and coordination concerning the protection of schools. It also seeks to improve the quality and availability of data and knowledge products related to education in emergencies and protracted crises. This initiative is expected to fill critical gaps in the sector, focusing on coordination, localization, addressing the impact of climate crises, inclusion, and delivery across various nexus points.

Yasmine Sherif, Executive Director of ECW, emphasized the importance of this partnership with GCPEA. She highlighted that protecting children, schools, and teachers from brutal attacks is not only a moral obligation but also a requirement under International Humanitarian Law. This collaboration aims to ensure that crisis-impacted girls and boys worldwide have life-saving access to safe, quality education.

Lisa Chung Bender, Executive Director of GCPEA, underscored the critical role of safety in education. She pointed out that schools should be sanctuaries for children, where learning can occur without fear. The support from ECW's Acceleration Facility will enable GCPEA to continue its vital research into understanding the extent and impact of attacks on education. This research is crucial for devising effective strategies to protect educational environments.

The grant also supports capacity building among countries to implement the Safe Schools Declaration effectively. This international political commitment aims at preventing military use of educational facilities and ensuring that schools remain safe spaces for learning even amidst armed conflict.

This initiative is part of ECW's Strategic Plan to mobilize US$1.5 billion over the next three years. The goal is to reach 20 million crisis-affected children and adolescents worldwide, providing them with opportunities for education despite the challenges posed by emergencies and protracted crises.

The partnership between ECW and GCPEA represents a significant step forward in safeguarding the right to education for millions of children living in conflict zones around the globe. By strengthening policies, enhancing data collection, and building capacities for implementing protective measures, this collaboration aims at creating a safer educational environment for all children.