1. Niger
  2. Niger

Central Sahel: New report finds over half of children are afraid going to school

Relentless attacks and threats against schools in the Central Sahel are driving alarming levels of stress among children in conflict- affected areas, with 53% saying they do not feel safe at school, reveals the Norwegian Refugee Council in a new report.

The report finds that conflict is having a heavy psychological impact on children, affecting their behaviour and learning capacity. Almost two-thirds (64%) of children reported having little to no hope for their future.

High level of stress and trauma lead children to underperform at school. Almost two-thirds (62%) of children reported being unable to concentrate and 9 out of 10 having issues dealing with their emotions, such as anger and anxiety. To cope, some children isolate themselves, no longer interacting with their peers or participating in class. Others express their trauma through anger, and aggression or panic attacks.

Widespread insecurity has also led over 5,500 schools to shut down in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, barring children from learning and leaving them without a much-needed support network.

Despite soaring needs, funding and support for the education sector trails behind in the humanitarian response. Only 6.5% of the education needs were covered in 2021 in Burkina Faso, and 7.9% in Niger, making it the least funded sector of the humanitarian response in both countries.

Schools can play an essential role in healing the psychological wounds of millions of children and help them regain a sense of normality. But first, they must become safe places again.
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Adedayo, writing on the blackboard of his classroom
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Adedayo, writing on the blackboard of his classroom

Almost two-thirds (64%) of children in the conflicted affected areas of the Central Sahel report having little to no hope for their future.

In Niger specifically, the results of the assessment are also
concerning with 71% of the respondents saying they have little to no hope in the future and 86% of children feeling they need additional school support.

Date: 04 February 2022
Location: Tillaberi
Photo: Tom Peyre-Costa/NRC

  • Abena focusing on her breathing to control her stress
  • Abia, a second grade teacher, asking students what to do to lower their anxiety
  • School children showing their chalkboards
  • Magani writes on her notebook during a second grade lesson
  • Bako, doing math exercise on the blackboard
  • Ibrahim, 12, and his friends in the classroom
  • Students raising the flag of Niger in the schoolyard at dawn
  • Rayowa writing on her chalkboard during a second grade lesson
  • Girma (right) , Iwama and Aziz reading their exercice book
  • Manirou and his friends reading their exercice book
  • Adedayo, writing on the blackboard of his classroom
  • Nana, Alkana and Tashi on their way to school in the early morning
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