The 2026 observance highlights the resilience of human communities and the importance of keeping education alive in times of war, conflict, displacement and insecurity.
Doha, <a href="https://gulfeyenews.com/qatars-next-wave-of-real-estate-takes-shape-as-cityscape-qatar-returns-with-400-live-projects/”>Qatar, 9 September 2026 – Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, a global foundation for education and development, marks the International Day to Protect Education from Attack Today. Observed annually on 9 September, the day highlights the urgent importance of safeguarding students, teachers, schools, universities and learning spaces affected by war, conflict, displacement and insecurity.
Held this year under the theme “Can Education Survive Attack? The Resilience of Human Communities,” the 2026 observance reflects on the ability of education systems, communities, teachers, families and young people to keep learning alive even in the most challenging circumstances. It also reinforces the importance of preparedness, adaptation, recovery, and accountability in ensuring that education continues during and after attacks.
The International Day to Protect Education from Attack was established following a resolution presented by the State of Qatar, spearheaded by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, and adopted unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly in 2020. The day draws global attention to the millions of children and young people whose education is affected by war and conflict, and to the need to protect education as a fundamental right.
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 of military use of schools and universities were recorded in 2024 and 2025, representing an increase of more than 50 percent compared with the previous reporting period. These attacks harmed at least 10,600 school and university students, teachers, professors and education personnel. The report also recorded the highest incidence of attacks on education in Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Palestine and Ukraine, while cases of military use of schools and universities increased to more than 2,100.
Mohammed Al-Kubaisi, Chief Executive Officer of Education Above All Foundation, said: “Education can survive attack, but only if we choose to build systems capable of survival. Schools are not targets, teachers are not combatants, and children’s futures are not collateral damage. Protecting education must go beyond rebuilding after harm has occurred; it must include preparedness, safe learning pathways, alternative education solutions, psychosocial support, and accountability for those who attack education.”
This year’s observance places particular emphasis on the message that protection alone is not enough. Education must be designed to survive attack, ensuring that learning can continue even when schools are damaged, occupied, closed or unsafe. It also highlights that resilience is not a reactive process, but one that depends on proactive systems, including early-warning mechanisms, alternative learning infrastructure, remote education solutions, contingency planning and recovery pathways.
At the heart of the 2026 theme is the recognition that communities and young people are often the frontline defenders of education. In many conflict and crisis settings, students, teachers, families and local communities develop innovative ways to sustain learning despite displacement, insecurity and attacks on schools. Their determination reflects the human resilience that this year’s observance seeks to recognise and honour.
As part of this year’s observance, Education Above All Foundation, together with its partners, will present The Crosswalk in both Paris and Geneva as a visual activation designed to translate data on attacks on education into a direct public experience. The installation uses pedestrian-crossing stripes as a visual timeline of verified attacks on schools, with each stripe representing a year and the corresponding number of recorded attacks.
In Paris, Education Above All Foundation, UNESCO and the Permanent Delegation of the State of Qatar to UNESCO will jointly present The Crosswalk at UNESCO Headquarters from 9 to 13 September. The installation will be accompanied by a digital display featuring key facts, campaign messages, a QR code linking to UNESCO’s Preventative Plan of Action to Protect Education from Attack, and an interactive prompt asking: “Can Education Survive Attack?” Bringing the campaign into a diplomatic and policy setting, the activation reinforces awareness of the growing threats facing education and the importance of international cooperation to protect it.
In Geneva, the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva, in coordination with the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack, will hold a high-level event at the Palais des Nations, bringing together representatives of governments, United Nations agencies and international organisations. The Crosswalk will form part of the event, alongside photographs and digital content highlighting the experiences, determination and resilience of learners and communities affected by conflict and insecurity, and their efforts to sustain education in the most challenging circumstances.
Through the global #UniteToProtect campaign, this year’s observance also provides a platform for governments, international organisations, civil society, educators, youth and the public to share messages of solidarity and reaffirm the importance of protecting education before, during and after crises.
Education Above All Foundation continues to emphasise that education is more than a service delivered through classrooms. Education is a fundamental right and a source of protection, stability, dignity and hope for children, young people, families and communities affected by conflict. When education is attacked, the impact extends far beyond damaged buildings; it disrupts childhoods, weakens communities and threatens long-term recovery.