Education Above All Marks International Day to Protect Education from Attack

Education Above All Foundation has marked the International Day to Protect Education from Attack with a global awareness campaign in Paris and Geneva, highlighting the sharp rise in attacks on schools, universities, students and educators worldwide.

Qatar-based Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, together with international partners, has launched a global visual activation titled “The Crosswalk” to mark the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, observed annually on September 9.

The initiative was launched in Paris and Geneva and aims to transform statistics about attacks on education into an interactive visual experience highlighting the growing scale of violations affecting schools, teachers and students around the world.

What Is ‘The Crosswalk’?

The installation uses the familiar stripes of a pedestrian crossing as a visual timeline.

Each stripe represents a particular year and the corresponding number of verified attacks on schools and educational institutions.

Through the concept, EAA aims to turn complex statistics into a simple but powerful visual representation of how conflict and insecurity continue to threaten access to education.

Campaign Presented at UNESCO Headquarters

In Paris, EAA partnered with UNESCO and the Permanent Delegation of the State of Qatar to UNESCO to present The Crosswalk at UNESCO Headquarters from September 9 to 13, 2026.

The installation is accompanied by a digital display presenting key facts and campaign messages.

Visitors can also access a QR code linking to UNESCO’s Preventative Plan of Action to Protect Education from Attack.

The installation asks a central question:

“Can Education Survive Attack?”

By presenting the campaign in a major international diplomatic setting, organisers hope to strengthen awareness of the threats facing education and encourage greater international cooperation to protect schools and learners.

High-Level Event in Geneva

A related event is also taking place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

The Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva, working with the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack, is bringing together representatives of governments, UN agencies and international organisations.

The Crosswalk installation forms part of the event alongside photography and digital content documenting the experiences of students and communities affected by conflict.

The displays also highlight the determination of learners and educators who continue trying to maintain education despite insecurity and extremely difficult circumstances.

‘Schools Are Not Targets’

EAA Foundation Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Al Kubaisi said protecting education must involve more than repairing schools after they have already been attacked.

He emphasised that schools should never be treated as military targets and that teachers and children must be protected during conflict.

According to Al Kubaisi, effective protection also requires preparedness, safe learning pathways, alternative education options, psychosocial support and accountability for attacks on education.

UniteToProtect Campaign Calls for Global Solidarity

This year’s observance is also being supported through EAA’s global #UniteToProtect campaign.

The initiative provides a platform for:

•    Governments
•    International organisations
•    Civil society
•    Teachers and educators
•    Young people
•    Members of the public

to share messages of solidarity and reaffirm the need to protect education before, during and after crises.

The campaign stresses that ensuring access to education during conflict should not be seen only as a humanitarian response after damage has occurred.

Instead, systems should be designed to continue operating safely even during periods of insecurity.

More Than 9,200 Attacks Recorded

The scale of the problem has continued to grow.

According to the latest Education Under Attack 2026 report by the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack, at least 9,259 attacks on education and incidents involving the military use of schools and universities were recorded during 2024 and 2025.

That represented an increase of more than 50% compared with the previous reporting period.

The incidents harmed at least 10,600 students, teachers, professors and other education personnel.

The report identified particularly high levels of attacks in:

Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Palestine and Ukraine.

Cases involving the military use of schools and universities also rose to more than 2,100 incidents.

Qatar Played Key Role in Establishing the International Day

The International Day to Protect Education from Attack was established after an initiative led by Qatar.

The resolution was presented by the State of Qatar, spearheaded by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.

It was unanimously adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2020.

The annual observance aims to draw international attention to the millions of children and young people whose education is disrupted by armed conflict.

It also reinforces the principle that access to education is a fundamental right, including during emergencies and war.

Education Is More Than a Classroom

EAA stressed that attacks on education affect far more than school buildings.

When schools close or become unsafe, children may lose access to learning for months or years.

Communities can also lose an important source of stability and protection.

EAA said education provides dignity, hope and security to children, families and communities facing conflict and displacement.

Damage to education systems can therefore undermine not only individual futures but also the long-term recovery of entire communities.

Protecting Education Before, During and After Conflict

The 2026 campaign places particular emphasis on resilience.

This means governments and international organisations should work to ensure that education can continue even when traditional school environments become unsafe.

Possible measures include alternative learning spaces, remote education, stronger school-protection systems and mental-health support for students affected by violence.

EAA argues that protecting education should therefore be integrated into humanitarian, development and security planning rather than addressed only after attacks take place.

The Bottom Line

The International Day to Protect Education from Attack comes amid a significant rise in violence affecting schools, universities, students and teachers.

With more than 9,200 attacks and military-use incidents recorded over two years, Education Above All is using its “The Crosswalk” installation to turn those statistics into a visible reminder of the human impact of conflict.

Through events in Paris and Geneva and the global #UniteToProtect campaign, the foundation is calling for stronger international action to ensure that schools remain places of safety and learning.

The message is simple:

Education should never become a casualty of conflict.