A coalition of children’s rights associations and non-governmental organizations has issued a joint statement warning against the severe consequences of war, school closures, and the absence of a structured plan to ensure continuous education during crises.
The signatories urged the Ministry of Education to draft a “National Protocol for Educational Continuity in Crises” and treat school closures strictly as a last resort. The statement highlighted that preserving children’s physical safety, mental health, and learning continuity remains a fundamental duty of the education system, one that extends beyond merely declaring closures or reopenings.
The NGOs asserted that the government must guarantee safe, equitable, high-quality, and uninterrupted education during wars, natural disasters, energy shortages, and other emergencies. Evaluating the previous academic year, the groups noted that even in provinces not directly impacted by conflict, schools were closed without offering age-appropriate, standardized alternatives. They cautioned that virtual learning cannot replace in-person instruction, particularly for primary and first-grade students, and warned that unequal access to devices, the internet, and suitable home environments exacerbates educational inequality and learning loss.
