Education International Africa

Education International Africa (EI Africa) held an online meeting on 30 April 2026 to address the growing attacks on teachers, Education Support Personnel (ESP), and schools. The meeting was held under the theme, “Schools shall be safe havens for all.”

Across the African region and beyond, many countries are affected by armed conflict, political violence, and banditry. In these contexts, teachers, ESP, and students face killings, abductions, intimidation, and the military occupation of schools and education institutions. These attacks threaten the safety and wellbeing of education communities and undermine the right to education.

Opening the meeting, Dr Dennis Sinyolo, Regional Director of EI Africa, warned that attacks on education are increasing and becoming normalised.

He said,

Dr Sinyolo stressed that “these attacks are not accidental. They are the result of systemic failures to prioritise investment in public education, to protect workers, and to uphold human rights,”. According to him, teachers often pay the highest price when governments fail to invest adequately in public education and protection mechanisms.

Presenting EI policies and resolutions on the topic, Dr. Pedi Anawi, Regional Coordinator, EI Africa, noted that despite the endorsement of the Safe Schools Declaration by many African governments, implementation remains weak. Accountability is limited, and teachers’ voices are often missing from national education and security policy debates. EI Africa emphasised the need to close the gap between political commitment and action.

The webinar was anchored in Education International’s Go Public! Fund Education campaign, which calls on governments to invest in quality public education, teachers, and safe learning environments. EI Africa reiterated that safe schools and protected educators cannot be achieved without sustainable public funding.

Teacher-Centred Evidence from Africa

The meeting also discussed findings from a teacher centred study on teachers and schools under attack in Africa, commissioned by EI Africa. The research draws on 358 survey responses from 19 countries and key informant interviews in Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mozambique, Nigeria and South Sudan.

Presenting the study’s results, researcher, Tali Klein explained that attacks on education have both immediate and long-term consequences. These include disrupted learning, teacher burnout, displacement, and increased dropout rates, especially among girls. The study also reveals an accountability gap, where attacks are reported but rarely followed by effective action or protection.

• In Nigeria, attacks and abductions have led to mass school closures and high numbers of out of school children.
• In Cameroon, teacher kidnappings have driven educators to flee affected regions, worsening teacher shortages.
• In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), armed conflict has disrupted salary payments, and the prolonged closure of thousands of schools.

Need for a Three-Dimensional Response

To address these crises, the study proposes a three-tiered protection strategy:

1. Community level protection, including dialogue, early warning, and local safety mechanisms;
2. National level action, through fully funded and enforced implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration;
3. Regional and global accountability, involving the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, and the United Nations.

The findings of the study are intended to strengthen union led advocacy and policy dialogue with governments, Regional Economic Communities, the African Union, UN agencies, and other stakeholders. The goal is to improve protection mechanisms for teachers, ESP, learners, and education institutions.

The meeting featured panel discussions with union leaders from conflict affected countries, who shared national experiences and highlighted the realities faced by educators and students on the ground. Participants also engaged in group work to propose strategies for protecting education communities and supporting those affected by conflict.

In his closing remarks, Dr Sinyolo reaffirmed EI Africa’s commitment to continued advocacy and solidarity. He stated that protecting teachers is not optional. Safe schools are not a privilege. They are non-negotiable public goods and human rights.

The meeting concluded with a clear call to action: Protect teachers. Protect schools. Fund public education.