Nearly 24 million children living in crisis zones in 22 countries are being deprived of a school education, threatening their own future and that of their societies, the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported Tuesday. "Children living in countries affected by conflict have lost their homes, family members, friends, safety, and routine. Now, unable to learn even the basic reading and writing skills, they are at risk of losing their futures and missing out on the opportunity to contribute to their economies and societies when they reach adulthood," UNICEF education chief Jo Bourne said. The analysis found that nearly one in four of the 109.2 million children of primary and lower secondary school age—typically between six and 15 years old—living in conflict areas are missing their education. South Sudan is home to the highest proportion of out-of-school children, with 51 percent having no access to education. Niger is a close second, with 47 percent unable to attend school. "School equips children with the knowledge and skills they need to rebuild their communities once the conflict is over, and in the short term, it provides them with the stability and structure required to cope with the trauma they have experienced," Bourne said. "Schools can also protect children from the trauma and physical dangers around them. When children are not in school, they are at an increased danger of abuse, exploitation, and recruitment into armed groups," Bourne said.
