Boko Haram's 'devastating impact' leaves one million without education

The full damage wreaked by Boko Haram in Nigeria is yet to be known.

This is according to a report which explores the "devastating impact" the terrorist group has had on education in northeast Nigeria.

The 86-page report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) claims one million children have little or no access to schools as a result of Boko Haram's attacks. This situation is made worse by the Nigerian army's policy of using schools as military bases and therefore increasing the risk of attack.

More than 910 schools have been targeted by the Islamist group, whose name means "Western (or non-Islamic) education is a sin". At least 611 teachers have been deliberately killed and another 19,000 forced to flee. At least 1,500 schools have closed as a result of Boko Haram's attacks.

The lucky ones: Around 10 per cent of internally displaced children attend classes at a government-recognised displacement camp. Bede Sheppard/Human Rights Watch

"In its brutal crusade against western-style education, Boko Haram is robbing an entire generation of children in northeast Nigeria of their education," said Mausi Segun, Nigeria researcher at HRW. "The government should urgently provide appropriate schooling for all children affected by the conflict."

This week marks the two year anniversary of the Chibok school kidnapping which sparked an international campaign to bring back the girls. Of the 276 originally kidnapped, 219 remain in captivity.

In a video released in May 2014 the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, said women and girls would continue to be abducted to "turn them to the path of true Islam" and ensure they did not attend school.

The fighting has sparked a largely unreported refugee crisis with an estimated 2.2 million people, including 1.4 million children, displaced. Only around 10 per cent are in government-recognised refugee camps where there is some schooling. The other 90 per cent are with friends and family members with little or no access to education.

Although the Nigerian government declared Boko Haram had been "technically defeated" in December 2015, attacks continue and there is little prospect of refugees returning.

HRW used the report to urge the government to improve education in the northeast and ban the use of schools for military purposes.

Segun said: "Boko Haram's attacks and the government's neglect and misuse of schools have contributed to the dismal state of education in the northeast.

"It is up to both sides to immediately stop the attacks on education and end the cycle of poverty and underachievement to which far too many children in the region are being sentenced."

HRW's report came as a seperate report by Unicef said Boko haram's use of child suicide bombers over the last year had increased. One in five of the group's suicide attacks were now done by children, said the UN's child agency – an 11-fold increase compared to 2014.

related articles
Muslims converting to Christianity in Nigeria, despite brutal persecution

Muslims converting to Christianity in Nigeria, despite brutal persecution

Nigerian president orders inquiry into latest massacre of Christian farmers
Nigerian president orders inquiry into latest massacre of Christian farmers

Nigerian president orders inquiry into latest massacre of Christian farmers

Beyond Boko Haram: Child abductions in Nigeria
Beyond Boko Haram: Child abductions in Nigeria

Beyond Boko Haram: Child abductions in Nigeria

More than 300 children abducted by Boko Haram last year are still being held

More than 300 children abducted by Boko Haram last year are still being held

Families of schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram struggling for survival
Families of schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram struggling for survival

Families of schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram struggling for survival

News
Trump forms Religious Liberty Commission to address 'emerging threats' First Amendment rights
Trump forms Religious Liberty Commission to address 'emerging threats' First Amendment rights

In a new executive action, President Donald Trump has established a new Religious Liberty Commission to bolster protections against “emerging threats” to the US’s longstanding tradition of faith-based freedoms. 

Leviticus: the joyful middle book of the Torah
Leviticus: the joyful middle book of the Torah

Hebrew scholar and Jewish academic Irene Lancaster reflects on Leviticus, holiness and loving your neighbour. 

'The Light He Left Behind': Martin Scorsese unveils new documentary featuring final interview with Pope Francis
'The Light He Left Behind': Martin Scorsese unveils new documentary featuring final interview with Pope Francis

Acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese has announced a forthcoming documentary that will showcase the final on-camera interview with the late Pope Francis, capturing the pontiff’s enduring message of compassion, creativity, and cross-cultural dialogue.

5 things to know about Pope Leo XIV
5 things to know about Pope Leo XIV

Perhaps the most notable aspect of Prevost’s ascension to the papacy is his background.