Strengthening the Right to Education in Conflict Situations

Education is a human right and a vital tool in the protection and promotion of human rights. In conflict situations however, the right to education is often compromised and difficult to realise. Despite the existence of laws and mechanisms upholding the right to education, (i) attacks on schools are underreported, (ii) national education sector plans remain “emergency blind”, (iii) perpetrators are seldom held accountable, (iv) education is under funded and (v) attacks on schools and the military use of schools remain widespread. This paper addresses each of these concerns in turn.