Blog by Orlaith Minogue, Save the Children
In November 2025, the Fifth International Safe Schools Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, marked and reflected on 10 years of the Safe Schools Declaration, the SSD in short — an inter-governmental political commitment to protect students, teachers, schools, and universities from the worst effects of armed conflict. As it came to a close, there was a palpable sense of collective commitment, energy, and resolve to intensify efforts to protect every student’s right to learn in safety, even when growing up amid conflict and chaos.
As we begin 2026, we look back on years marked by the worst increases in attacks on education and are reminded of the urgent collective commitments made at the conference. In this blog, I reflect on what stood out — and what must change in 2026.
With 67 states in attendance, an unforgettable child delegation, and stakeholders from countries and organisations across the globe, participants were united by a shared and pressing question: can we do more together to end attacks on education and better protect students, schools, and educators at a time of increased and protracted conflict, the erosion of protection norms, and a deepening global funding crisis? The answer, I am glad to say, is a resounding yes.
Progress over the past decade demonstrates what is possible. Since the launch of the Safe Schools Declaration in Oslo more than ten years ago, 122 states have endorsed it (including 2 new States at the conference), military doctrines and training increasingly recognise the need to protect schools, including from military use. Monitoring and reporting on attacks on education have expanded, and national laws, policies, and practices have been strengthened.
Yet, the 2025 Children and Armed Conflict Report recorded 41,370 grave violations against children, the highest number since the mandate was established nearly 30 years ago. This should be a sobering statistic for all of us. The figures included a 44% increase in verified attacks on schools — across the globe, schools continue to be destroyed, students and teachers killed, access to learning cut off, and entire education systems destabilised or shut down by conflict.
We therefore find ourselves at a moment of reflection: one where we recognise the distance travelled, confront the scale of the challenge ahead, and recommit to the work we know makes a difference.
The Safe Schools Conference brought together representatives from affected states to share experiences, strengthen cooperation, and build on what we know works. The participation of child and youth leaders, alongside survivors of attacks on education, left no doubt about what is at stake.
We must reinforce political commitments, translate them into concrete implementation, strengthen accountability in the face of growing impunity, and expand monitoring and protection efforts even as funding and support come under increasing pressure.
Protecting education in conflict is achievable, and it is essential.
Save the Children is a member of INEW. A heartfelt thank you to everyone at Save the Children for this kind contribution to our blog!
