We all know that education is a fundamental human right. But more than that, quality education is a foundation of tolerance, pluralism and security in society – something which is pertinent to remember in the wake of attacks like the one we saw at Manchester Arena this week. Put simply, a lack of education is a driver of extremist ideologies; in a world where there are so many conflict zones, it’s more urgent than ever that foreign aid is allocated for education that gives young people the resilience and critical skills to reject hate and violence.
Across Libya, Syria and South Sudan, the displacement of children because of war is commonplace – and when children are displaced, their right to education is usually denied. The consequences are dire and can be extreme and yet the perpetrators are not held to account.
In almost all of today’s armed conflicts, schools and other institutions that should be safe for children and teachers are ripped apart by violence. In 2016, the United Nations documented attacks on 84 schools around the world, with at least 69 children losing their lives and many others injured.
Schools have become targets of war. …
more: http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/isis-manchester-attack-foreign-aid-islamist-ideology-south-sudan-syria-kids-join-extremist-groups-a7759986.html
