International Day to Protect Education from Attack: How IHL Protects Children and Education

9 September marks the International Day to Protect Education from Attack. The day aims to raise awareness of the need to protect children, students, teachers and education during armed conflict.

International humanitarian law (IHL) sets out rules to protect civilians and civilian objects during armed conflict. Educational institutions are generally civilian objects and must not be targeted unless they meet the criteria for a military objective under IHL. Parties to an armed conflict must also take all feasible measures to protect civilians from the effects of hostilities.

IHL provides children with special protection. Under Rule 135 of customary IHL, children affected by armed conflict are entitled to special respect and protection. This means taking their particular vulnerability into account and providing additional protective measures.

IHL also contains specific provisions to protect children’s access to education in occupied territory. Article 50 of the Fourth Geneva Convention requires the occupying power, with the cooperation of national and local authorities, to facilitate the proper functioning of institutions providing care and education for children.

The Safe Schools Declaration complements IHL by setting out political commitments by States to prevent attacks on educational facilities and those involved in education, and to minimise the use of schools and universities for military purposes. Ukraine endorsed the Declaration in 2019. In 2021, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved an action plan for its implementation.

Protecting education during armed conflict is about more than protecting buildings. It means safeguarding children’s right to education, ensuring the safety of students and teachers, and enabling education to continue during war.

The Ukrainian Red Cross continues to raise public awareness of international humanitarian law and promote understanding of its rules. On the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, we highlight the importance of respecting IHL rules that protect civilians, provide children with special protection and set limits on the conduct of hostilities.