Tigray Education Recovery Challenges After War: A Long Road Ahead

• The war in Tigray has left 2.4 million school-aged children without education for three years.
• 88% of the region's school infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed.
• Children who miss out on education face unique challenges, including trauma, displacement, and loss of previously acquired skills.
• Adolescent girls are particularly vulnerable to permanent abandonment from education in conflict-affected societies.
• Education is critical for protecting children from exploitation and safeguarding their well-being.

The region's infrastructure has been ravaged, with 88% of its school buildings damaged or destroyed. The loss is not just physical; it also affects the emotional and psychological well-being of children who have experienced trauma, displacement, hunger, and bereavement.

The war in Tigray has left an indelible mark on the region's education system, with far-reaching consequences that may shape the future of its children for decades to come. According to a World Bank-supported Damage and Needs Assessment, more than 2,200 primary schools and approximately 270 secondary schools were severely disrupted by the conflict. The assessment noted that in areas evaluated in December 2021, only about 40% of previously enrolled primary school pupils had returned to their classrooms. This staggering figure underscores the magnitude of the challenge facing Tigray's education system. The region's infrastructure has been ravaged, with 88% of its school buildings damaged or destroyed. The loss is not just physical; it also affects the emotional and psychological well-being of children who have experienced trauma, displacement, hunger, and bereavement.

Children who miss out on education for extended periods face unique challenges that cannot be easily overcome. A child who misses three years of schooling does not simply return to the classroom three years older; they may have experienced significant emotional and psychological trauma, including bereavement, displacement, food insecurity, family separation, or violence. Many children have been forced to take on adult responsibilities, such as working or supporting their households, which can hinder their ability to learn. Others may have forgotten previously acquired literacy and numeracy skills, making it difficult for them to catch up with their peers. The risk of permanent abandonment is particularly high for adolescent girls, who are often less likely than boys to return to education in conflict-affected societies.

Schools play a critical role in protecting children from exploitation, trafficking, hazardous labor, forced migration, early marriage, and recruitment by armed groups. When schools disappear, children become more vulnerable to these risks. The European Commission has warned that the interruption to education in Tigray has been accompanied by increased child-protection risks and exposure to trauma. This connection is essential for understanding the long-term consequences of the conflict on the region's children. Concern about the militarization or political exploitation of young Tigrayans must include consideration of the critical role education plays in safeguarding their well-being.

Lawyers advising clients in Tigray should be aware that the region's education system faces a generational emergency, with 2.4 million school-aged children denied education for three years, and consider how this may impact their clients' business operations or investments in the area.

Source: Original reporting via European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations