Schools are centers of learning, inspiration and growth and must never be targets of terrorism and violence. We must defend girls' right to education.
On Sunday, May 9th a car bomb was detonated in front of the Sayed Al-Shuhada school outside of Kabul, Afghanistan and two more bombs exploded as students and teachers rushed out in panic. The current death toll has reached 85 and over one hundred wounded, but some families were still searching hospitals for their children and the number could rise. Most of those killed were schoolgirls.
“Education International condemns this criminal attack and calls for those responsible to be brought to justice. We deeply mourn the loss of these innocent young students and teachers horrifically targeted as they gathered to start their school day. Our hearts are with their families and school community as they rebuild,” stated EI General Secretary, David Edwards.
“This heinous attack on the lives of students and teachers is shocking, unjustifiable, and morally repugnant. Schools are centers of learning, inspiration and growth and must never be targets of terrorism and violence. This is a fundamental belief of our organization and teachers and school staff around the world. As a global community of educators, we feel the horror of this attack, but we are also united in demanding that schools are protected from violence for political, military, ideological, sectarian, ethnic, religious or criminal reasons,” he continued.
“This attack also demonstrates the urgency of our demand that governments around the world do everything in their power to protect the right of girls to go to school and to thrive free of prejudice, harassment and violence. Protecting the rights of girls to go to school is a fundamental step to ensuring quality education for all,” he added.
Additional Resources:
EI launches Declaration on Schools as Safe Sanctuaries
UN: Resolution on the right to education in armed conflict areas