EDUCATION - 24 January 2025

On International Day of Education: AI’s promise vs. reality for children growing up alone in conflict zones 

By Dereje Wordofa

Education is the basis of human progress, the key to breaking cycles of poverty, and the foundation of peaceful and prosperous societies. However, millions of children worldwide — especially those in situations of vulnerability or in conflict zones — are denied access to quality education, one of their fundamental rights as outlined in Article 28 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

As we observe the International Day of Education 2025 under the theme “AI and Education: Human Agency in an Automated World,” we must confront a grim and urgent reality: an education emergency for children in conflict zones.  

According to UNESCO, over 250 million children and adolescents are out of school, and 773 million adults remain illiterate. These figures are not just statistics; they reflect lives disrupted, futures compromised, and entire communities left behind. Many are also at risk of losing parental care, making education a vital pathway to safety and self-reliance. In some of the world’s most troubled regions, such as Sudan, parts of Ethiopia, Haiti, Gaza, and Syria, this emergency is particularly acute. Humanitarian crises significantly impact children, often resulting in the loss of parental care or an increased risk of separation. Lacking a family network and support systems, access to services — especially education — becomes their only lifeline. Targeted interventions are urgently needed to protect and support children without parental care in humanitarian settings. Ensuring their safety, well-being, and access to essential services is crucial in mitigating the adverse effects of such crises. 

In Sudan, ongoing conflict has destroyed the education system, leaving millions of children without access to schooling. The conflict that escalated in 2023 has displaced over 5 million people, including 2.5 million children, according to the United Nations. Schools have been bombed or repurposed as shelters for displaced families, leaving also 6.5 million children without access to schools in 2023. For children without parental care, schools often serve as one of the few spaces where they can form meaningful bonds and receive the support needed to navigate such crises  For these children, the absence of education means not only losing the opportunity to engage with innovative technologies but also missing out on basic learning and the stability that safe spaces provide. 

Similarly, Ethiopia’s regions of Tigray, Oromia, and Amhara have witnessed school closures for extended period. Schools have been destroyed, many remain closed or occupied by armed forces, and countless teachers have fled. In areas already grappling with poverty, years of progress have been erased and hopes shattered. Girls face heightened risks of early marriage, perpetuating cycles of inequality and deprivation. 

In Haiti, chronic political instability, gang violence, and natural disasters have crippled the education system. The United Nations reports that one in four schools has been forced to close due to gang violence. Earthquakes have destroyed hundreds of schools, while frequent fuel shortages make it nearly impossible for teachers and students to travel to operational classrooms. For Haitian children, the lack of education exacerbates poverty, insecurity, and limited opportunities for the future. 

The situation in Gaza is even more dire. Education is under siege. More than 600,000 children are in their second year without formal education. Airstrikes have damaged or destroyed dozens of schools. Basic education is denied, for them, the promise of AI-driven education remains even more elusive. SOS Children’s Villages Palestine, which provides care, education and other services to children without or at risk of losing parental care, recently returned to Rafah in the context of the ceasefire, only to find their buildings completed destroyed and unable to reestablish programs. 

Similarly, Syria’s brutal civil war has shattered its education system over the past decade. UNICEF reports that over 3.2 million Syrian children are out of school. Bombings have destroyed thousands of schools, while others have been converted into shelters for displaced families. For refugee children in neighbouring countries like Turkey and Jordan, access to quality education remains an uphill battle, further complicating efforts to rebuild their futures. 

These stories from Sudan, Ethiopia, Haiti, Gaza, and Syria highlight the devastating impact of conflict and instability on education. These crises are not isolated; they are part of a broader global education emergency that demands urgent and sustained action. What can government, and other institutions do to help children’s education in conflict zones? Here are some points for considerations.   

First, education must be a central component of humanitarian aid. Currently, funding for education in emergencies accounts for only 3% of global humanitarian aid, a figure that must increase. Particular focus is needed for children without parental care, ensuring they have access to educational environments that foster both learning and the relationships critical to their development. International organizations and governments must allocate resources to rebuild schools, train teachers, and create safe learning environments in conflict-affected regions. 

Second, schools must be protected under international humanitarian law. Targeting schools in conflicts is a violation of children’s rights and robs them of their futures. Initiatives like the Safe Schools Declaration, endorsed by 121 countries, aim to ensure that schools remain safe havens even during conflict. More nations must commit to and enforce these principles. 

Third, for children displaced by conflict, education must be a priority. Mobile schools, digital learning tools, and AI-based educational platforms can bridge the gap. Host countries must also integrate children who are refugees into local education systems to ensure continuity in their learning. 

Fourth, governments and international institutions must increase investments to address both immediate and systemic challenges. Programs targeting literacy, teacher training, and infrastructure development are critical for long-term progress. 

Fifth, the global education crisis is not merely about missed opportunities for individual children; it is about entire generations losing the skills needed for self-growth and societal contribution. This loss has profound implications for peace, stability, and hope. 

On this International Day of Education, let us confront the stark reality faced by children and young people in conflict zones. Denied their fundamental right to education, these children and young people are left without the tools to overcome their harsh realities and attempt to build better futures for themselves. As we mark this day, let us stand united in ensuring that education becomes the universal right it was always meant to be. For children growing up without parental care, this right is even more critical. It is through education and strong human connections that they gain the tools to build better futures. 

No child, regardless of where they are born, including those living in conflict zones — many of whom are also growing separated from their families and without parental care — should ever be denied the chance to learn and succeed in life.

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