Education in Danger
Monthly News Brief February
Teachers killed, kidnapped and arrested (KKA) 2020 and schools damaged and destroyed (DD)
Africa This monthly digest compiles Burkina Faso reported incidents of 13 February 2020: In Moussakuy village, Sanaba department, Boucle threatened or actual violence du Mouhoun region, an unnamed school was attacked by a group of affecting education. ten heavily armed men who burned electoral material and seized food It is prepared by Insecurity * from the canteen. Source: Minute BF Insight from information available in open sources. Cameroon The listed reports have not been 15 February 2020: In Mandoussa village, Mayo-Sava department, independently verified and do Extreme-North province, an unnamed school and a health centre were not represent the totality of set on fire during an attack on the village by Boko Haram militants. events that affected the * Source: Sembe TV provision of education over the reporting period. Election Violence in Anglophone Regions The Global Coalition to Protect A recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) included information on the Education from Attack military use of a school during pre-election violence in Cameroon. On 19 (GCPEA) provided technical January, soldiers, including members of the BIR, and gendarmes beat a 46- guidance on definitions of year-old man in an abandoned school, the Bali Comprehensive High School, attacks on education. in Sang neighbourhood, Bali, Northwest province. * = GCPEA event
Read the full report ‘Election Violence in Anglophone Regions’ here Suggested citation: Insecurity Insight. 2020. The Education in Democratic Republic of Congo Danger Monthly News Brief, 18 February 2020: In Lugo village, Mahagi territory, Ituri province, an February 2020. Switzerland: unnamed school and nearby houses were set on fire during armed Insecurity Insight. clashes in the village between Coalition of Congolese Democrats Access data on teachers killed, (CODECO) fighters and military soldiers. Source: Radio Okapi* kidnapped and arrested (KKA) and schools damaged and Mali destroyed (DD) on HDX 06 February 2020: In Ouatagouna village, Ansongo cerle, Gao region, Insecurity Insight. a school director, the village chief and a civilian were killed during an Visit our website to download attack on the village by suspected ISGS or JNIM militants. Sources: previous Monthly News Briefs. * Bamada, Medi1 TV and Sahel Intelligence Join our mailing list to receive 12 February 2020: In Tin-Hamma town, Ansongo cerle, Gao region, an monthly reports on insecurity affecting provision of education. unnamed school had its administrative documents set on fire by unidentified armed men on motorcycles. The mayor's office and the Follow us on Twitter and local radio were also set ablaze in the incident. Source: Studio Tamani* Facebook.
23 February 2020: In Tonka town, Goundam cercle, Tombouctou region, an unnamed school was set on fire by suspected JNIM militants in an attack on the village. Source: Studio Tamani* Education in Danger Monthly News Brief – February 2020 Page 1 Niger 06 February 2020: In Molia village, Tillaberi region, a teacher was killed in an alleged targeted attack by suspected ISGS militants who attacked the village. Four construction workers were also killed in the incident. Sources: Xinhua, Urgence Tillaberi and Nord Sud Journal*
10 February 2020: In Famale village, Tillaberi region, an unnamed school was set on fire by suspected ISGS militants. A vehicle belonging to the director of the Franco-Arabic school was also burned. No casualties were reported. Source: ACLED*1
13 February 2020: In Taroum village, Tillaberi region, an unnamed school was set on fire in an attack on the village by suspected ISGS militants. A telecommunications network was also sabotaged in the incident. No casualties reported. Source: ACLED*1
19 February 2020: In Kandadji village, Tillaberi Department, an unnamed school was set on fire in an attack on the village by suspected ISGS militants armed with firearms. Source: ACLED*1
19 February 2020: In Gabou village, an unnamed school was set on fire by suspected ISGS militants. Source: ACLED1*
Zambia 17 February 2020: In Chilenje, Lusaka city, unidentified men attacked an unnamed school with tear gas. Several students were hospitalised as a result. Source: Zambia Watchdog
Asia Afghanistan 02 February 2020: In Kunduz province, an education department employee and a former commander of a militant group were kidnapped by the Taliban and killed two hours later. Source: NYT
Myanmar 13 February 2020: In Kha Mhwe Chaung village, Buthidaung township, Maungdaw district, Rakhine state, artillery fire of unidentified origin hit the Basic Education Post-Primary School, injuring 19 students. Source: ReliefWeb and Reuters*
China 15 February 2020: In Guangzhou city, Guangdong province, a male scholar and activist was detained by the Chinese authorities for publishing an essay calling for political responsibility for the government’s handling of the COVID-19 outbreak. Sources: Japan Times, National Public Radio, Radio Free Asia, South China Morning Post and VOA News
16 February 2020: In Beijing, a male law professor was placed under house arrest after he criticised the government’s response to the outbreak of COVID-19. Sources: The Guardian I, The Guardian II, China File, The New York Times, Business Insider and South China Morning Post
Middle East and North Africa Iraq 24 February 2020: In Sadr city, a civil servant working for the Education Ministry was killed by unidentified armed men on a motorbike. Source: AA
Syrian Arab Republic 02 February 2020: In Saraqeb city, Idlib governorate, an unnamed high school for girls, and Ali al Khaledi
Education in Danger Monthly News Brief – February 2020 Page 2 School, and a market were damaged by missiles fired by Syrian regime warplanes nearby. Source: SNHR*
03 February 2020: In Arateb city, Aleppo governorate, Atareb School was partially destroyed by missiles fired by Russian warplanes nearby. Source: SNHR*
03 February 2020: In Binnesh city, Idlib governorate, Binnesh High School for girls was partially destroyed and furniture was damaged by missiles fired by Russian warplanes. Source: SNHR*
03 February 2020: In Jam’iyet al Arman area, Aleppo governorate, Baraem al Mustaqbal Kindergarten was partially destroyed, and its furniture damaged by missiles fired by Russian warplanes. Source: SNHR*
04 February 2020: In Afrin city, Aleppo governorate, Syrian Democratic Forces shelled Al Ittehad al Arabi School while an educational course took place inside the school, partially destroying the building and damaging furniture and injuring eight children. Source: SNHR and Airwars*
06 February 2020: In Anadan city, Aleppo governorate, Anadan High School was damaged by shelling fired by Syrian regime artillery nearby. Source: SNHR and Airwars*
08 February 2020: In al Sabkhah, Deir-ez-Zor province, a teacher was shot and killed by unidentified men. Source: ACLED
09 February 2020: In Ma’aret al Na’san village, Idlib governorate, Ma’ara al Muhdath School and Ma’ara dispensary were damaged by missiles fired by Syrian and Russian warplanes. Source: SNHR*
09 February 2020: In Kafr Noran village, Aleppo governorate, an unnamed primary school was partially destroyed, and its furniture damaged by missiles fired by Russian warplanes. Source: SNHR and Airwars*
11 February 2020: In Urm al Kubra village, Aleppo governorate, Urm al Shamalia School was partially destroyed, and its furniture damaged by missiles fired by Russian. Source: SNHR*
20 February 2020: In Mhambel village, Idlib governorate, Mustafa al Khaled Primary School and furniture were damaged by missiles fired by Russian warplanes nearby. Source: SNHR*
20 February 2020: In Hazarin village, Idlib governorate, Basmet Amal Primary School and Martyr Ahmad Barakat School were damaged by suspected Syrian forces using heavy machine guns. Source: SNHR*
23 February 2020: In Kafranbel city, al Bureij School was damaged by shells fired by Syrian regime forces missile launcher. Source: SNHR*
25 February 2020: In Idlib city and governorate, alleged Syrian regime artillery fired heavy shells and cluster munitions on several educational facilities: al Baraem School (also known as al Thawra School), Khaled Sha’ar School, al Hurriya School and al Manahel Kindergarten. The attacks resulted in casualties, including a teacher from al Baraem School. Source: SNHR I, SNHR II and Airwars*
25 February 2020: In Ma’aret Misreen town, Idlib governorate, Taqneyat al Hasoub School Martyr was partially damaged by missiles fired by Syrian regime warplanes nearby. Source: SNHR*
25 February 2020: In Kafrantin village, Aleppo governorate, al Yarmouk School was damaged in shelling by Syrian regime artillery forces. Source: SNHR*
25 February 2020: In Idlib city and province, Syrian regime artillery shelled al Baraem School with cluster Education in Danger Monthly News Brief – February 2020 Page 3 munitions, wounding a male teacher who died two days later. Source: SNHR*
Tunisia 12 February 2020: In Hajeb el Aioun, Kairouan province, a school was stormed by a group of youths armed with knives who assaulted the school guard. Source: ACLED1
Yemen 07 February 2020: In Al Hali district, Al Hudaydah governorate, artillery shells of unidentified origin hit an unnamed school. Source: CIMP*
25 February 2020: In Majzar district, Marib governorate, explosives of unidentified origin caused the destruction of an unnamed school. Source: CIMP*
25 February 2020: In Sharab As Salam district, Taiz governorate, small arms fire of unidentified origin inside an unnamed school, killing one child and injuring two civilians. Source: CIMP*
The Americas Jamaica On 24 or 25 February 2020: In Hanover, outside Lucea, a school bus driver was shot multiple times and killed by two men on a motorcycle. No students were harmed. Source: Jamaica Gleaner
Other safety, security and access incidents This section covers non-KKA or DD incidents affecting teachers and schools e.g. assaults, injuries, robberies, as well as strikes and other events affecting the provision of education.
Africa Burundi 05 February 2020: In Buhiga commune, Ngozi province, a teacher and two street traders were beaten and humiliated in public by police forces. They were accused of not respecting a street closure during a presidential visit. Source: ACLED1
Around 12 February 2020: In Ruhororo commune, Ngozi province, a teacher was beaten up by Imbonerakure members for violating a curfew imposed by the youth wing of the ruling party. Source: ACLED1
South Sudan 12 February 2020: In Juba, a male professor was suspended and placed on administrative leave without pay from the University of Juba after he wrote an opinion article criticising a government decision. Sources: Human Rights Watch, VOA News, The East Africa Monitor, South Sudan Nation, and Eye Radio
Asia China 07 February 2020: In Beijing, a female lecturer at the School of Humanities and Law of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences was dismissed for criticising the government’s handling of the COVID-19 outbreak on social media. Sources: Topick, The Union Journal, Radio France Info, BBC and Radio Free Asia
Sri Lanka Around 18 February 2020: In Colombo city, students and teachers were attacked by unidentified men armed with knives at College of Technology, leaving three teachers injured. One of the perpetrators was
Education in Danger Monthly News Brief – February 2020 Page 4 arrested by the police. Source: ACLED1
The Americas Colombia 20 February 2020: Teachers began a two-day strike in rejection of the ongoing killings of colleagues, death threats and stigmatisation by Colombia’s ruling party. Source: Colombia Reports
Mexico 26 February 2020: In Huejotzingo, Puebla state, a teacher and three students from Chontalpa Popular University were attacked by a group of armed men wearing military clothes. One student died and the other three were injured. Source: ACLED1
Attacks on students This section cover events affecting students and school children.
Africa Cameroon 12 February 2020: In Bambui town, Tubah subdivision, Mezam department, North-Ouest province, a student was shot and killed by Ambazonian separatists. Source: ACLED*1
Guinea 03 February 2020: In Conakry city, Kaloum, Conakry region, a student was beaten by police forces. Source: ACLED1
Nigeria 09 February 2020: On the Maiduguri-Gubio Road, Maidguri, Borno state, Boko Haram militants abducted two female and one male student. All were later rescued unharmed by security forces. Source: Daily Post*
South Africa 03 February 2020: In KwaZulu-Natal province, police clashed with student protestors at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Edgewood and Howard campuses. One student was shot and hospitalised. The students were protesting to demand increased funding, the cancellation of previous students’ debt, and for indebted students to be enrolled. Sources: Sowetan Live, IOL I, IOL II, News 24 I, News 24 II and Citizen*
24 February 2020: In Mankweng town, Limpopo province, University of Limpopo students clashed violently during a campus protest over delays in registration and funding, and a lack of Wi-Fi on campus. The clashes were between members of two opposing political parties. In response to the violence, all academic activities were suspended for the rest of the day. Sources: Review, Citizen, Twitter I and Twitter II
25 February 2020: In Alice town, Eastern Cape province, University of Fort Hare students clashed violently with police during a campus protest and 11 students were arrested. The students were protesting to demand increased funding for students, the cancellation of previous students’ debt, and for indebted students to be enrolled. Sources: Sowetan Live, The South African, All4Women and The Times*
Sudan 07 February 2020: At Kass IDP camp, South Darfur state, a primary school student was raped by four armed men riding camels as she was gathering firewood in the eastern area of the camp along with her three brothers, who were also beaten by the armed men. Source: Dabanga Sudan
Education in Danger Monthly News Brief – February 2020 Page 5 Asia India 10 February 2020: In New Dehli city, Dehli territory, dozens of Jamia Millia Islamia student protestors were reportedly injured in violent clashes with police. The students were protesting against India’s recent Citizenship Amendment Act, which has been criticised for discriminating against Muslims in India. Sources: Hindustan Times, Times of India, The Statesman, India Today and First Post
15 February 2020: In Hubballi city, Karnataka state, three KLE Institute of Technology students were arrested and charged with sedition for allegedly chanting pro-Pakistan slogans. The students were released the following day but were rearrested following protests by right wing groups. Sources: The Times of India, Scroll, Hindustan Times, The New Indian Express and The Indian Express
Pakistan 13 February 2020: In Turbat city, Kech district, Balochistan province, a student was abducted by the Pakistani army. Source: ACLED*1
Middle East and North Africa Egypt 07 February 2020: In Cairo, a male postgraduate student at the University of Bologna was arrested by Egyptian authorities, apparently in connection with his human rights activism and research. The student was reportedly tortured during his arrest. Sources: Front Line Defenders, Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, The Guardian, Al Jazeera and La Repubblica*
Iran 10 February 2020: In Tehran, a female student at the University of Tehran and a well-known human rights activist was reportedly arrested on campus by Iranian authorities. Sources: Centre for Human Rights in Iran, Radio Farda I, Radio Farda II, Deutsche Welle, Euronews, BBC and Reuters
Iraq 10 February 2020: In Nasiriyah city and district, Dhi Qar governorate, Iraqi security forces opened fire on students and other protestors in front of Al Ain University, killing one protester and injuring several others. The protests were over corruption, poor economic conditions, and a lack of public services. Sources: The Washington Times, Alaraby, Roayah News, Russia Today and Shafaaq*
Occupied Palestinian Territories 10 February 2020: In Abu Dis town, Jerusalem, teachers and Palestinian students were attacked with tear gas by Israeli forces near a school complex. Source: Wafa*
23 February 2020: In Deir Nidham village, West Ramallah, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas at several Palestinian schoolchildren, causing tear-gas inhalation and their evacuation from school. Source: IMEMC*
Turkey 23 February 2020: In Kadikoy, Istanbul, two Pakistani students at Bilgi University were physically assaulted by police officers during an ID check. The police seized their passports and wallets before releasing the students. Source: Human Rights Foundation of Turkey
The Americas Brazil 06 February 2020: In João Pessoa, Paraíba state, a male student went missing. The disappearance is reportedly linked to their criticism of private security personnel contracted by a university. The student was Education in Danger Monthly News Brief – February 2020 Page 6 found dead two days later. Sources: Ponte, Portal Correio, G1, Twitter, UFPB and Diario de Pernambuco
Mexico 16 February 2020: In Tuxtla Gutiérrez city, Chiapas state, riot police and students at Mactumactza Normal Rural School clashed when the former tried to clear a road blocked by protesting students, leaving eight people injured, including three students. Source: ABC
Notes This document is part of the Education in Danger project. It is published by Insecurity Insight and funded and supported by the Department for International Development (DFID) of the UK government through the RIAH project at the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute at Manchester University, UK. The incidents reported are not a complete nor a representative list of all events that affected the provision of education and have not been independently verified. All decisions made, on the basis of, or with consideration to, such information remains the responsibility of their respective organisations.
Key definitions Teachers killed, kidnapped and arrested (KKA) and schools damaged and destroyed (DD)
Teacher: Anyone working professionally in the education system, or volunteering at any level of the education system, including teachers, academics, education support and transport staff (e.g., education administrators, janitors, bus drivers, librarians), or education officials.
Killed: Refers to a teacher being killed. Teacher(s) killed while in captivity are coded as ‘kidnapped’.
Kidnapped: Refers to a teacher being kidnapped, missing or taken hostage.
Arrested: Refers to a teacher being arrested, charged, detained, fined or imprisoned. The classification is based on reported but not independently verified information. Insecurity Insight project makes no independent judgement about the legality of any reported arrest or detention.
Schools: Any facility providing education or resource which is used to support the educational process, including kindergartens, schools, universities, technical and vocational education training institutes, textbook and school warehouse facilities.
Damage: School was reported as damaged (partially destroyed and heavily damaged) during the incident.
Destruction: School was reported as destroyed in the incident.
Find about more on definitions used by Insecurity Insight and by GCPEA here.
1 Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) database attribution policy. Accessed 5 March 2020
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