Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: Save the Children KINSHASA, 16 April 2026 – The number of violent attacks against schools more than tripled in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the year to February 2026 amid escalating violence in the country, Save the Children said. Armed groups attacked at least 587 schools , affecting over 285,500 children between March 2025 and February 2026 – over three times the 172 schools (68,700 children) attacked in the preceding 12 months , according to an analysis of data from the education cluster, a coordination group of education humanitarian organisations.[1] Armed conflict in the eastern DRC has escalated dramatically since early 2025, with widespread attacks on schools, forced closures, and recruitment of children by armed groups. Among the schools attacked in the eastern provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri, 330 were destroyed while 191 were seized by armed groups, with 321 still closed as a result, leaving over 122,000 children out of education.[2] Around 1.18 million children in eastern DRC are out of education due to the closure of their schools, according to the education cluster. [3] Far from a one-time event, attacks on schools can be deeply upsetting for children who may feel scared to return to class and distressed by the presence of armed soldiers in and around the buildings. Humanitarian partners have reported that explosive remnants of war have also been found within school premises, turning learning spaces into high-risk zones, making parents reluctant to send their children to school. The past year has seen a sharp intensification of conflict in the DRC, creating one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, internally displacing some 5.6 million people including about 2.5 million children [4] while 15 million people – or almost one in every seven people – needs humanitarian assistance.[5] Greg Ramm, Save the Children Country Director in the Democratic Republic of Congo, said: ‘No child should ever have to choose between learning and staying alive. Attacks on schools can leave children with devastating physical and emotional injuries. ‘When a school is attacked, it’s not just walls that fall, but also a child’s safety, dreams, and future as an attack on a school also deprives many more students of the chance to receive a good-quality education and a chance at a better future. ‘Protecting schools means protecting futures, and when we fail to do so, we are betraying generations of children. All parties to the conflict need to prioritise the protection of civilians and especially children over other considerations.’ Save the Children is calling on all parties to the conflict in DRC to cease attacks on—and threats against—schools, and refrain from any military-related use of educational facilities. Schools must be protected as safe spaces that provide shelter from harm and the opportunity to learn and play. Save the Children has worked in eastern DRC since 1994 and is currently working with local partners as well as international partners and government authorities, to deliver critical health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, child protection and education support to children and their families. Notes to editor: [1] DRC Education Cluster: Overview of Incidents Targeting Education (as of February 28, 2026) https://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/republique-democratique-du-congo-cluster-education-situation-des-incidents-contre-leducation-au-28-fevrier-2026. The press release analysis comparing incidents from March 2025 – February 2026 with March 2024 to February 2025 is based on data prepared by the DRC Education Cluster of which Save the Children, along with UNICEF, is the co-lead. [2] DRC Education Cluster: Overview of Incidents Targeting Education [3] DRC Education Cluster: Overview of Incidents Targeting Education [4] https://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/republique-democratique-du-congo-personnes-deplacees-internes-et-retournees-fevrier-2026; https://www.unicef.org/drcongo/communique-presse/directeur-regional-appelle-mobilisation-renforcee-rdc [5] Democratic Republic of the Congo: Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) 2026, https://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/democratic-republic-congo-humanitarian-needs-and-response-plan-hnrp-2026-glance ****** For more information or interview requests please contact: Aisha Majid, Data Media Manager, [email protected] Delfhin Mugo, Africa Media Manager, Our media out of hours (BST) contact is [email protected] / +44(0)7831 650409 Please also check our Twitter account @Save_GlobalNews for news alerts, quotes, statements, and location Vlogs.

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