Barriers to Education Amid Armed Conflicts

Education lays the foundation for a more secure and just future. It gives children the tools to dream, to grow, and to rise above difficult circumstances. But in areas torn by armed conflict, going to school becomes a distant privilege rather than a daily routine. For many children around the world, simply attending class means risking their lives.

In these troubled regions, learning does not stop because of lack of will—but because of collapsed systems, displacement, fear, and deep trauma. The long-term damage to education caused by war can last for generations, leaving entire communities without the knowledge and skills to rebuild.

Schools as Casualties of War

Schools are supposed to be safe spaces where children can focus on learning and growth. But in many conflict zones, they become immediate targets. In countries like Syria, Sudan, Yemen, and Afghanistan, thousands of schools have been damaged or turned into shelters, command centers, or prisons by armed groups.

Parents, fearing for their children’s safety, are often left with no choice but to keep them at home. The risk of kidnapping, gunfire, or sudden attacks has become an everyday concern. What should be a normal day of class turns into an impossible task. For a young child, carrying a notebook may seem more dangerous than holding nothing at all.

Some families try to continue educating their children informally, but these efforts rarely last. Without stable infrastructure, scheduled classes, or safe locations, most students simply stop learning altogether.

Lack of Teachers and School Supplies

Education does not happen without people to guide it. Yet, one of the first casualties of war is the teaching workforce. Teachers, like anyone else, are driven to flee violence and protect their families. Many either abandon their posts or are displaced themselves. Others are even targeted because of their profession.

In places where schools still exist, classrooms are overcrowded or teacherless. Some schools rely on volunteers who have no training in education. Books, paper, chalkboards, and desks become luxuries. A story from South Sudan describes a teacher who continues to give lessons under a tree, using a cardboard sheet as a chalkboard. His commitment is inspiring—but it cannot meet the complex educational needs of dozens of students.

Without well-trained educators and reliable tools, the quality of instruction collapses. Students fall behind in reading, math, and basic critical thinking skills. What little knowledge they gain is often lost when another wave of violence forces them to move again.

Forced Displacement Interrupts Learning

Armed conflict often forces entire families to abandon their homes and flee to temporary shelters or refugee camps. This sudden displacement cuts children off from their regular learning routines. It can take months or even years before they enter another classroom—if they ever do.

In refugee settlements, educational access is inconsistent at best. Some camps have small schools, but they usually lack qualified teachers or permanent structures. Schedules are irregular. Classrooms often have to combine multiple grade levels, causing confusion and frustration among students.

For instance, in certain camps in Jordan, one teacher might be responsible for students from three different age groups at once. Children who are eager to learn get discouraged when they can’t understand the lesson or are surrounded by peers with different skill levels. Some eventually drop out altogether.

Without a stable school environment, these children fall behind. And without government documentation or school records, they often cannot re-enroll in formal schools when they resettle in another country.

The Emotional Burden on Students

The psychological toll of war on children is difficult to overstate. Many have witnessed violence, lost family members, or lived through repeated trauma. These experiences can affect their ability to focus, process information, and stay motivated.

Even when a child finds a safe space to learn, memories of past violence may continue to haunt them. Loud sounds, military uniforms, or even the layout of a classroom can trigger fear. This ongoing stress makes it harder to absorb lessons or interact with classmates.

Mental health services in conflict zones are rare. Teachers are not trained in emotional care. Schools—if they exist—do not provide counseling. As a result, children carry their trauma alone, and education becomes just another burden.

Addressing trauma is essential for effective learning. Programs that combine basic education with psychological support have proven helpful in some regions, but they are still far from widespread.

Girls Face Higher Risks

Gender discrimination in education becomes even more severe during armed conflicts. In many areas, girls are pulled out of school earlier than boys. Families may keep daughters at home out of fear of sexual violence or force them to take care of younger siblings.

In some situations, early marriage becomes a survival strategy. Without access to education or economic opportunities, families believe that marrying their daughters off will offer some form of protection or financial support. However, this practice often leads to lifelong poverty, isolation, and abuse.

In Afghanistan, for example, school closures for girls have worsened in recent years. Female teachers are threatened or banned from teaching. Restrictions on women’s mobility and rights prevent many girls from entering school buildings altogether.

This exclusion has a ripple effect. Girls without education are more likely to suffer health problems, become trapped in cycles of dependency, and have limited roles in decision-making. The loss of female participation weakens entire communities.

Legal and Policy Failures

Global treaties exist to safeguard education during emergencies. Documents like the Geneva Conventions and the Safe Schools Declaration are supposed to ensure that schools remain neutral and protected. However, these agreements are often ignored or inadequately enforced.

In many countries, national laws do not include plans for continuing education during emergencies. School systems are not built to respond to crisis. Governments may lack the funds, training, or political will to act quickly when conflict erupts.

Documentation is another serious barrier. Without birth certificates, student IDs, or academic records, children cannot transfer between schools or qualify for placement tests. These missing papers become invisible walls that prevent education from resuming, even in safe zones.

Hope Amid Destruction

Despite all these challenges, there are success stories that offer encouragement. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, educators are using mobile classrooms—vehicles packed with learning kits—to bring school to remote and dangerous areas. In Lebanon, organizations have developed remote learning platforms for displaced Syrian children.

Though these efforts are not without flaws, they prove that solutions are possible. With the right mix of funding, planning, and community effort, education can continue—even in crisis zones.

These models show the value of creativity, local involvement, and flexible systems. Temporary classrooms made of tents, digital lessons on solar-powered tablets, or peer-teaching programs can keep the door to learning open, even in emergencies.

Steps Toward Long-Term Change

Rebuilding education in conflict areas is not a quick fix. It requires long-term planning, investment, and international coordination. Key steps include:

• Offering teacher training in trauma-informed instruction.
• Creating safe, temporary learning centers in refugee zones.
• Providing language and cultural support for displaced students.
• Including education in emergency response budgets.
• Developing flexible accreditation systems for mobile learners.

These actions require money, expertise, and persistence. But they are critical to breaking the cycle of poverty and violence.

Shared Responsibility

The responsibility for solving these challenges does not fall on one nation alone. Governments, non-profit groups, and global institutions must work together to defend every child’s right to education. Only through strong partnerships can learning become a priority in emergency planning.

Investing in education helps stabilize communities and reduce long-term aid dependency. Education equips children not only with facts—but also with hope, direction, and the power to change their own future.

A Silent but Strong Defense

Learning offers something that violence cannot take away—dignity and purpose. In the darkest situations, education becomes a source of strength. It gives children the ability to imagine a life beyond war.

Even when books are scarce and classrooms are destroyed, the desire to learn survives. Each lesson taught under a tree or in a tent represents a choice to resist despair. It is proof that even in the midst of chaos, humanity continues to reach for something better.

When the world joins hands to protect the education of every child, peace becomes more than a distant goal—it becomes a shared promise.