Schools Are Not Battlefields
1 March 2026
| In an official statement, UNESCO expressed deep concern over the consequences of escalating hostilities in the Middle East and called for the immediate protection of schools and for educational spaces to be kept out of harm’s way during armed conflict. |
The Organization referred to the attack on a primary school in Minab, which, according to preliminary reports, resulted in the deaths of more than 100 students, emphasizing that attacks on educational institutions constitute a clear violation of international obligations to protect civilians and uphold the right to education.
Citing United Nations Security Council Resolution 2601 (2021), UNESCO called on all parties to the conflict to uphold their responsibilities to protect schools, students, and education personnel. The statement noted that attacks on schools are not merely a humanitarian loss, but also a direct assault on the fundamental right to education and the future of children in conflict-affected areas.
The Organization also stressed the need for urgent measures to establish safe zones around schools, end the use of educational facilities for military purposes, and ensure children’s unhindered access to education. It called on the international community to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and urgently follow up on violations of these obligations.
UNESCO concluded by recalling that protecting schools is not merely a humanitarian duty, but also an essential part of efforts to preserve education, rebuild societies, and establish lasting peace in the region.
