AI’s promise vs. reality for children growing up alone in conflict zones
Education is the basis of human progress, breaking cycles of poverty and fostering peaceful and prosperous societies. Yet, millions of children worldwide, especially those in situations of vulnerability or in conflict zones, are denied this fundamental right as outlined in Article 28 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Worldwide, over 250 million children and adolescents are out of school, and 773 million adults remain illiterate. These figures are not just statistics; they reflect lives disrupted, futures compromised, and entire communities left behind. For those at risk of losing parental care, education is a vital pathway to safety, stability and self-reliance.
Education as a lifeline for children without parental care
This education emergency is particularly acute in some of the world’s most troubled regions, such as Sudan, Ethiopia, Haiti, and Gaza. Humanitarian crises significantly impact children, often resulting in the loss of parental care or an increased risk of separation. Lacking a family network and support systems, access to services, especially education, becomes their only lifeline.
Targeted interventions are urgently needed to protect and support children without parental care in humanitarian settings. Ensuring their safety, wellbeing, and access to essential services is crucial in mitigating the adverse effects of such crises.
The harsh reality: Education under threat in conflict zones
In Sudan, ongoing conflict has destroyed the education system. The conflict that escalated in 2023 has displaced over 12 million people. Schools have been bombed or repurposed as shelters for displaced families, leaving 6.5 million children without access to learning.
Similarly, in Ethiopia, over 9 million children are currently out of school across the country due to conflict, violence, natural disasters, and displacement. More than 6,000 schools are closed and approximately 10,000 schools are damaged. In areas already grappling with poverty, years of progress have been erased and hopes shattered. Girls face heightened risks of early marriage, perpetuating cycles of inequality and deprivation.
In Haiti, chronic political instability, gang violence, and natural disasters have crippled the education system. The Haiti Ministry of Education has noted 919 school closures in the country, severely disrupting school attendance for over 300,000 children. Earthquakes have destroyed hundreds of schools, while frequent fuel shortages make it nearly impossible for teachers and students to travel to operational classrooms.
The situation in Gaza is even more dire. Education is under siege, with over 600,000 children in their second year without a formal education. Approximately 95% of schools have been either destroyed or severely damaged.
These crises are not isolated; they are part of a broader global education emergency that demands urgent and sustained action.
The role of AI: A promise out of reach
Despite the global excitement around AI-driven learning tools, AI remains an unfulfilled promise for children in conflict zones. While AI has the potential to bridge educational gaps, the basic infrastructure needed, electricity, internet access, and safe learning environments, is often non-existent in war-torn regions. The children who could benefit the most from these innovations remain the least likely to access them.
Solutions for protecting education in conflict zones
Prioritizing education in humanitarian aid: Funding for education in emergencies accounts for only 3% of global humanitarian assistance, a figure that must increase. Particular focus is needed for children without parental care, ensuring they have access to educational environments that foster learning and the relationships critical to their development. International organizations and governments must allocate resources to rebuild schools, train teachers, and create safe learning environments in conflict-affected regions.
Protecting schools under international humanitarian law: Targeting schools in conflicts is a violation of children’s rights and robs them of their futures. Initiatives like the Safe Schools Declaration, endorsed by 121 countries, aim to ensure that schools remain safe havens even during conflict. More nations must commit to and enforce these principles.
Ensuring education for displaced children: Mobile schools, digital learning tools, and AI-based educational platforms can help to bridge the gap. Host countries must also integrate refugee children into local education systems to ensure continuity in their learning.
Investing in long-term solutions: Governments and international institutions must increase investments to address immediate and systemic challenges. Programs targeting literacy, teacher training, and infrastructure development are critical for long-term progress.
The global education crisis is not merely about missed opportunities for individual children but entire generations losing the skills needed for self-growth and societal contribution. This loss has profound implications for peace, stability, and hope.
A Call to action: Education is a right, not a privilege
Let us confront the stark reality that children and young people face in conflict zones and unite to ensure that education becomes the universal right it was always meant to be. This right is even more critical for children growing up without parental care. It is through education and strong human connections that they gain the tools to build better futures.
No child, regardless of where they are born, including those living in conflict zones, should ever be denied the chance to learn and succeed in life.
Adapted from the article On International Day of Education: AI’s promise vs. reality for children growing up alone in conflict zones by Dr. Dereje Wordofa, DBA, MSc, MBA, President of SOS Children’s Villages International.