Education Under Attack in West and Central Africa: 2025 Update
In 2025, conflict and insecurity have led to the closure of 14,829 schools in West and Central Africa — affecting more than 3 million children. The crisis continues to deepen, especially in Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central Sahel region. Children are not only being denied education but also exposed to violence, recruitment by armed groups, child labor, and sexual exploitation.
Girls are hit hardest — often abducted, married early, or forced to stay home permanently after an attack. Even when schools reopen, years of missed education can leave lasting scars. Education is under attack, and the consequences ripple far beyond classrooms.
Plan International contributed to the 2025 regional update through the Education in Emergencies Working Group. Together with partners, the report urges immediate action: implement the Safe Schools Declaration, increase flexible education funding,= and deliver innovative learning solutions like radio-based education and accelerated learning programs.
Without urgent global support, the education dreams of an entire generation could vanish.
Read the full update and learn how to act: West and Central Africa -Regional Education in Emergencies Working Group: Protecting Education in West and Central Africa (September 2025 update)
