As the violence in the Middle East and surrounding regions continues, at least 52 million school-age children have faced disruptions to their education, with many either being forced to stop attending school, shift to online learning, or experience delays due to damaged or closed schools. Save the Children’s data, calculated from UN population figures, illustrates the widespread impact on children of all backgrounds, with many schools repurposed as shelters or left inoperable.
In Lebanon, where over 770,000 people have been displaced, including around 300,000 children, about 900 public schools are being used as collective shelters, representing 73% of all public schools. This marks the seventh consecutive year of severe education disruptions for children in Lebanon, who have been impacted by multiple crises. Across the region, other countries have also seen schools destroyed or damaged, such as in Iran, where 65 schools were hit by airstrikes. In the West Bank, most schools remain closed due to safety risks, including falling debris and military checkpoints preventing students and teachers from accessing schools.
In several Gulf states, including the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain, schools have shifted to online learning due to security concerns. Schools in Israel are closed until at least the end of the week, while in Pakistan, schools are closing for two weeks to conserve fuel, although exams will continue as scheduled.
Save the Children’s Regional Director, Ahmad Alhendawi, stressed that classrooms are often the first to close in conflict situations, and the longer children miss out on education, the more difficult it becomes for them to return to school. The organization also highlighted the importance of protecting schools under international humanitarian law, as attacks on educational institutions could constitute grave violations of these laws.
Marian Hodgkin, Save the Children’s Global Head of Education, added that the destruction of schools and their use as shelters for displaced families further complicates the situation. The loss of regular schooling not only affects academic performance but also jeopardizes children’s protection, exposing them to increased risks. In response, Save the Children is working across the region to provide education in emergencies, creating safe spaces for children to learn and receive crucial life-saving messages, such as how to avoid unexploded ordnance.
The organization’s ongoing efforts aim to keep children safe and engaged in learning, even when formal education systems are unavailable. Save the Children’s initiatives focus on providing support for the wellbeing of children and maintaining access to education during times of crisis.
