Education in Danger Education January Monthly News Brief 2018 Insecurity affecting the provision of education

Threats and incidents of violence against This monthly digest comprises threats and educational workers incidents of violence as well as protests and other events Africa affecting education. Cameroon 15 January 2018: In Buea, Limbe and Tiko, Fako division, Southwest It is prepared by Insecurity region, rumours that suspected separatists would attack Insight from information educational facilities led to the evacuation of schools and available in open sources. universities, including the University of Buea. Sources: Cameroon- Info and Journal du Cameroun All decisions made, on the basis of, or with Nigeria consideration to, such 07 January 2018: Update: In Akampa. Cross River state, gunmen information remains the released a medical practitioner from the Cross-River College of responsibility of their Education Medical Centre, kidnapped since 26 December. Sources: respective organisations. Daily Trust and Guardian Editorial team: 08 January 2018: In Calabar, Cross River state, unidentified Christina Wille, Larissa Fast perpetrators kidnapped a senior registrar in the Department of Laurence Gerhardt and Pediatrics, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. Source: Daily Helen Buck Insecurity Trust Insight

Research team: Sudan James Naudi 11 January 2018: In South Kordofan state, a member of the Sudan Insecurity Insight Armed Forces (SAF) entered Delling University armed with a

concealed Kalashnikov and shot and killed two students. Then Subscribe here to receive committed suicide. His motive remains unclear. Source: Dabanga monthly reports on Sudan insecurity affecting the provision of education. Asia Afghanistan Suggested citation: 24 January 2018: In Jalalabad, Nangarhar province, gunfire from an Insecurity Insight. 2018. The unspecified source prompted residents and children from a school Aid in Danger Monthly News to run away. No further details are available. Source: Tolo News Brief, January 2018. Geneva: Insecurity Insight, Aid in Bangladesh Danger Project. 03 January 2018: In Dhaka, a factional clash between two rival groups of Jagannath University unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League led to the injury of two activists. Source: The Daily Star Education in Danger Monthly News Brief January 2018 Page 1

Pakistan 22 January 2018: In Shabqadar, Charsadda district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a student killed the principal of Islamia private college, after he was reprimanded for skipping classes. Source: Dawn

Middle-East and North Africa 31|12: In city, Cyrenaica region, unidentified perpetrators in a four-wheel drive truck entered the Benghazi University campus, forced a student into their car and drove away to an unknown destination. Source: Libya Observer

03 January 2018: In Abyar town, Marj district, Cyrenaica region, gunmen linked to ‘The Youth Zone’ shot and killed the director of the Education Bureau, who was planning to run in an upcoming election. Sources: Alwasat (a) and Alwasat (b)

16 January 2018: Update: In Al Bayda city, district, Cyrenaika region, the Dean of the Faculty of Religion of University of Mohammed bin Ali al-Sanusi returned home having been missing since 22 August. Source: Alwasat

Syrian Arab Republic 14 January 2018: In and around Eastern Ghouta region, violence has forced schools to shut down. Source: CNN

17 January 2018: In Eastern Ghouta region, Syrian government forces have launched attacks on schools. Source: VOA

Tunisia 11 January 2018: In town, Nefzaoua region, pupils from unspecified schools interrupted classes, burned tires and blocked roads at the crossing of Chaala Kebili for no unknown reasons. Source: Mosaique FM

25 January 2018: In city and governorate, two child assailants tried to kidnap a schoolgirl from an unspecified junior high school for unknown reasons. Source: Al-Sawriq Online

Yemen 09 January 2018: In Sana’a, Houthi gunmen attacked two female teachers from Sourouh al-Majd School in front of Madaba Gate, after the latter prevented them from entering the school. Source: Barakish

The Americas Guatemala 03 January 2018: In Guatemala City, and Mixco and Villa Nueve cities and municipalities, Guatemala department, threats from criminal groups against public schools prompted 100 educational communities to request preventive security at their premises from the National Civil Police to ensure their safety. Source: Prensa Libre, Publinews

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Damage and destruction of educational facilities

Africa Cameroon 12 January 2018: In Ngoketunjia division, Northwest Highlands region, unidentified perpetrators set ablaze GBHS Bamessing school, destroying the administrative building. Source: Cameroon-Concord

22 January 2018: In Nkambe city, Donga Mantung division, Northwest region, unidentified perpetrators set ablaze the administrative block of Saint Rita’s College for unknown reasons. On 23 January, the girls’ dormitory of the same school was also set ablaze for unknown reasons. Source: All Afrikan Network

Middle-East and North Africa Libya 27 January 2018: In Sabha city and district, Fezzan region, unidentified perpetrators set ablaze classrooms in Nasiriyah school, damaging books and sports equipment. Source: Alwasat

Occupied Palestinian Territories 24 January 2018: In Beit Ta’mir village, Bethlehem, West Bank, threats of demolition by Israeli authorities made children on winter vacations question whether their school would still be standing when they return. Source: +972

Syrian Arab Republic 02 January 2018: In Qatra village, Idlib governorate, suspected Russian fixed-wing warplanes reportedly fired a missile at Qatra Elementary School, resulting in casualties, and partially destroying the building and damaging furniture. Source: SNHR

06 January 2018: In Irbeen city, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, fixed-wing Syrian or Russian regime forces warplanes reportedly fired several missiles at Irbeen Girls High School, heavily destroying the building and damaging furniture. Source: SNHR

06 January 2018: In al Dana city, Idlib governorate, Hay’at Tahrir al Sham fighters, along with al Inqath Government representatives reportedly closed a building that houses the faculties of Information Engineering, Literature, and Media, affiliated to Free Aleppo University. Teaching was suspended. Source: SNHR

12 January 2018: On the outskirts of al Habeit village, Idlib governorate, suspected Russian fixed-wing warplanes reportedly fired several missiles at Khaled al Mousa High School, the building was set ablaze and the building and its furniture were heavily damaged. Source: SNHR

16 January 2018: In al Shahba neighborhood, western Aleppo, an artillery shelling landed in Wahat al Atfal kindergarten, resulting in casualties and partially destroying the building. Source: SNHR

21 January 2018: In Saraqeb city, Idlib governorate, suspected Russian fixed-wing warplanes reportedly fired several missiles at Ebla Private University, located on the international highway Aleppo-Damascus. Several students were wounded, the university building was partially destroyed, and its furniture and cladding materials were heavily damaged. Source: SNHR

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25 January 2018: In Saraqeb city, Idlib governorate, suspected Russian fixed-wing warplanes reportedly fired a missile at Hitteen School for Elementary Education, the building was set ablaze and the building was partially destroyed. Source: SNHR

25 January 2018: In Rajo town, Aleppo governorate, suspected Turkish fixed-wing warplanes fired several missiles and a mortar shell at Rajo al Qadima School, damaging the building and its fencing. Source: SNHR

29 January 2018: In Kafra Nabl, Ma'arrat al-Numan, Idlib governorate, fixed-wing Syrian regime forces warplanes reportedly fired several small missiles near Abu Bakr al Siddeeq School, causing damage. Source: SNHR

07 January 2018: In al Janoubi neighbourhood, Jarjanaz town, Idlib governorate, Syrian regime forces helicopters reportedly dropped a barrel bomb near the Teacher Training Institute, partially destroying the building and damaging furniture. Source: SNHR

Strike and other events affecting the provision of education

Africa Angola 05 January 2018: In Lubango city, Huíla province, the Sindicato Nacional de Professores (SINPROF) declared that the academic year of 2018 may not start, if the Angolan government does not respond satisfactorily to the tender document presented last April. Source: O Pais

Benin 23 January 2018: In Porto-Novo, Adjarra College of General Education 1, police arrested two trade union teachers who had attempted to evict their colleagues from classrooms for not observing a strike. They were later released after warnings by the prosecutor of the Court of First Instance of Porto-Novo. Source: La Nouvelle Tribune

Burkina Faso 09 January 2018: In Bobo-Dioulasso city, Hauts-Bassins region, a movement of students from Lycée Ouézzin Coulibaly (LOC) and Lycée Municipal held a protest to demand the resumption of classes and assessments of their work. Sources: Le Faso (a) and Le Faso (b)

09 January 2018: In Ouagadougou, hundreds of teachers led by the Coordination Nationale des Syndicats de l'Éducation (CNSE) started a countrywide 72-hour strike, demanding the adoption of a statute acknowledging the value of education staff, and improved quality of education, training, and access to education. Source: aOuaga (a) and aOuaga (b)

23 January 2018: In Pouytenga city, Kouritenga province, students of the Pouytenga County High School locked their headmaster for three hours in his office in protest over the lack of physics and chemistry teachers at the school. Source: Burkina24

Cameroon 10 January 2018: In Cameroon, teachers led by the Syndicat National des Instituteurs Contractuels et

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Maîtres de Parents (SNICOMP) launched a countrywide, unlimited strike, calling for the resumption of recruitment of students trained in the Normal Schools of Teachers of General Education (ENIEG) and the Normal Schools of Teachers of Technical Education (ENIET). Source: Cameroon-Info

Central African Republic 25 January 2018: In Kinshasa, Congolese authorities deployed heavily armed security forces, some wearing plainclothes, to the University of Kinshasa to shut down student protests. In one instance two security officers armed with Kalashnikovs chased a student who tripped in front of the administrative building and then pointed their weapons toward other students. Source: 7sur7

Chad 14 January 2018: In N’Djamena, the Syndicat des Enseignants du Tchad (SET) affiliated to the Confédération Indépendante des Syndicats du Tchad (CIST) held a general assembly at the central school of N’Djamena and threatened to go on a strike if the rising income tax would have an impact on teachers’ January salary. Source: Alwihda Info

Unspecified date: In N’Djamena, members of the national police stormed Félix Eboué high school and chased students from the University of N’Djamena who had taken refuge there following a protest march. Source: Alwihda Info

19 January 2018: In N’Djamena, teachers and students at Félix Eboué high school suspended classes to protest against the constant violation of their premises by members of the national police. Source: Alwihda Info

22 January 2018: In N’Djamena, police sprayed tear gas on protesting teachers and students from two unspecified high schools, hurting 40 students, and causing an unspecified number of injuries. Source: Tchad Pages

Democratic Republic of the Congo 24 January 2018: A group of students at the University of Kinshasa held a protest to demand a reduction in tuition costs as their academic fees this year rose to 16,000 Congolese francs. The police responded by firing teargas to disperse them before arresting many of them. Source: Radio Okapi

Guinea-Conakry 08 January 2018: The Guinean government has not, since last December, responded to the demands made by the Syndicat Libre des Enseignants et Chercheurs de Guinée (SLECG), prompting the union to warn of a strike if things remain the same by 31 January. Source: Africa Guinee

Ivory Coast 04 January 2018: In Korhogo city, Poro region, Savanes district, teachers and researchers from Peleforo Gon Coulibaly University of Korhogo have been preparing to begin a strike on 15 January. Source: Koaci

Mali Undated: The Association des Élèves et Étudiants du Mali (AEEM) announced a 72-hour strike, with effect from 24 January, in all private and public schools. Source: Bamada

Undated: The Syndicat National de l’Education et de la Culture (SYNESEC) announced the suspension of

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a strike, following an agreement with the Malian government. Source: Niarela

04 January 2018: In an unspecified location, a group of unions of teachers launched a 408-hour strike in response to the failure of the Malian authorities to fulfil the demands of their members. Source: aBamako

Mozambique 05 January 2018: The Union of Secondary Education announced that it has organised a national demonstration outside the Ministry of Education on 1 February. It also announced a national strike, with effect from 15 February. Source: Mosaique FM

Niger 05 January 2018: In Niamey, contracted teachers staged a sit-in at the Ministry of Public Service, demanding, among other things, repayment for hours worked. Source: RFI Africa

Nigeria 19 January 2018: In Kaduna state, the Nigeria Union of Teachers Kaduna Wing suspended its 10 day- long strike, following assurances by the state government that teachers who failed the competency test conducted last year will be given a second chance in the ongoing recruitment of new teachers. Source: Vanguard

Republic of the Congo 08 January 2018: In Brazzaville, an inter-union of teachers announced the suspension of a four-month strike at the University of Brazzaville. Striking teachers and administrative staff members had demanded the payment of an operating grant and the payment of salary arrears. Source: VOA

Senegal 09 January 2018: In Dakar, the Syndicat Autonome de l’Enseignement Supérieur (SAES) at the Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (UCAD) suspended classes pending payment of wages of the entire staff. Source: aDakar

South Africa 04 January 2018: In Johannesburg, the EFF Students Command (EFFSC) warned that the organisation would prevent any access to campuses, if universities did not allow walk-in registrations to occur, Source: News24

17 January 2018: In Pretoria, Gauteng province, the National Health and Allied Workers’ Union shut down the University of South Africa’s Sunnyside campus after wage increase negotiations deadlocked, grinding registration activities to a halt. Source: News24

17 January 2018: In Verena village, Nkangala district, Mpumalanga province, residents barricaded the main roads and streets leading up to Somlingo Primary School in a protest over a lack of water and threatened to remove children from school. Source: IOL

29 January 2018: Durban University of Technology (DUT) staff members held a strike, and attempted to disrupt registration processes on campus, security forces responded by firing rubber bullets to disperse them. Source: News24

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05 January 2018: The government convened the teachers’ unions on 11 January for the resumption of dialogue, intended to break the cyclical strikes affecting schools since last October. Source: Africa Time

Asia Bangladesh 14 January 2018: In Pirojpur town, Barisal division, hundreds of teachers and employees of non- governmental educational institutions, led by the Sikkhok-Karmochari Sangram Committee, formed a human chain to demand nationalisation of their job. Source: The Daily Star

14 January 2018: In Jhenidah town, Khulna division, hundreds of teachers and employees of non- governmental educational institutions from six upazilas, led by the Teacher and Employees' Sangram Parishad, formed a human chain to demand nationalisation of their job, and threatened to call an indefinite strike, with effect from 22 January 22, if their demand was not met immediately. Source: The Daily Star

20 January 2018: In an unspecified location, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) reportedly arranged a protest meeting at Choraikol Government Primary School, where the Kumarkhali upazila administration called a counter meeting at the same time, resulting in a tense situation at the school. Source: The Daily Star

Pakistan 04 January 2018: In Mianwali city, Punjab province, nearly 100 assistant education officers, both male and female, protested outside the office of the district education authority against political interference in their work and demanding that initial recruitment pledges be actualised - including a monthly special allowance and motorcycle transportation for schools in far off places. Source: Dawn

04 January 2018: In Karachi, Sindh province, the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) Sindh chapter announced that teachers would boycott academic activities at all public-sector universities on 24 January. Source: Dawn

23 January 2018: In Islamabad, daily-wage teachers working at schools operated by the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) protested outside the accountability court, demanding better regulation and repayment of wages since last July. Source: Dawn

Middle-East and North Africa 14 January 2018: In Algeria, an inter-union of teachers and health professionals threatened to go on strike, with effect from coming 14 February, which will be accompanied by sit-ins in front of the region’s headquarters, in response to the lack of response from the Algerian authorities to its correspondences. Source: Algerie 360

07 January 2018: In Tizi Ouzou city, district and province, teachers led by the union Conseil National Autonome des Professeurs de l’Enseignement Secondaire et Technique Elargi (CNAPESTE) held a strike for unspecified reasons. Source: El Watan

14 January 2018: In an unspecified location, student organisations and teachers’ trade unions suspended a strike planned for the day. Source: Radio Dzair

27 January 2018: In Béjaïa city, district and province, CNAPESTE announced the continuation of a strike.

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Source: Algerie 360

Iran 02: In Tehran, an unspecified large number of students and teachers are detained in temporary custody. Source: Radio Farda

Morocco 29 December 2017: In Laayoune city, Western Sahara territory, Moroccan authorities expelled two Japanese University professors, after they were spotted at the headquarters of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). Source: Morocco World News

Occupied Palestinian Territories 29 January 2018: In Gaza Strip, a demonstration held by thousands of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) employees against United States (US) aid cuts led to the temporary closure of schools, clinics and food distribution centres. Source: Reuters

Tunisia 04 January 2018: In city and governorate, substitute teachers of primary education in the delegations of and Saouaf started a sit-in, boycotting classes and exams to demand the regulation of their profession. Source: Jawhara FM

15 January 2018: In governorate, teachers held a protest inside the premises of the Regional Directorate of Education, threatening to boycott this year’s exams, if the supervisory authority fails to respond to their demands pertaining to their salary. Source: Assarih

16 January 2018: In Kebili town and governorate, an unspecified medial union threatened to launch a strike, with effect from 26 January, in protest against the abusive behaviour of the regional health director, and the suspension of the resuscitation chief. Source: Mosaique FM

The Americas Colombia 22 January 2018: In Medellín city, Antioquia department, Aburrá Valley region, teachers announced a regional strike, with effect from 01 February, to protest against the failure of the Colombian government to meet their demands. Source: TeleMedllin

Mexico 22 January 2018: In Morelia city, Michoacán state, elements of the Ministry of Public Security (SSP) arrested 26 teachers of the National Coordination of Education Workers (CNTE) for unspecified reasons. Source: Reforma

Venezuela 16 January 2018: In Barinas city, public teachers held a rally to express their disagreement on their salary and employment benefits. Source: El Universal

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This document is part of the Aid in Danger project. It is published by Insecurity Insight and funded and supported by USAID and Save the Children and the European Union Humanitarian Aid.

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