Study by Global Coalition Finds Attacks on Education Surge Globally, Targeting Students and Staff

Attacks on education around the world have increased by 40 percent, according to a new study released June 15 by the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA). The report says incidents were recorded in 83 countries and involved students and education personnel who were killed, injured, abducted, arrested, or otherwise harmed during 2024 and 2025.

GCPEA reported more than 8,556 incidents during the two-year period covered by the study. It also said the number of students and staff affected reached at least 10,600, a figure the coalition describes as encompassing fatalities, injuries, abductions, arrests, and other forms of harm.

The report highlights that the scale of violence is not limited to combat zones or single regions, but instead spans a wide range of countries where schools and learning environments have been targeted. GCPEA’s analysis, as described in the study coverage, indicates that the rise is measured against prior reporting and reflects a significant escalation compared with earlier levels of recorded attacks on education.

GCPEA’s findings also underscore the breadth of impacts on schooling. Beyond physical harm, the study points to disruptions that accompany attacks on pupils and staff, including heightened risks for families deciding whether children can attend school safely. In many cases, incidents can also increase pressure on local authorities and school systems that are responsible for maintaining order and protecting students.

The study’s release adds to growing international scrutiny of whether governments and armed actors are complying with established norms intended to protect schools and education. For public officials, the report raises questions about how incident tracking is performed, what preventive measures are used, and how accountability mechanisms operate when education personnel are attacked.

GCPEA’s reporting arrives as education access remains a central issue for international development and humanitarian planning. The coalition’s documentation of incidents across dozens of countries is likely to be used by policymakers and aid organizations when assessing security conditions, prioritizing protection programs, and reviewing how protection policies are implemented at the local level.

While the study provides totals and country coverage, it does not, in the published summary, break down every incident by location or perpetrator. Governments and investigators seeking more granular information may still need to consult GCPEA’s underlying incident list or related reporting to determine which types of attacks and risk factors were most prevalent in specific settings.