The ongoing conflict involving Iran is creating a global educational crisis, forcing millions of children to choose between attending school or helping their families survive. The war's impact, while less visible than pandemic-era school closures, is disproportionately affecting the world's poorest families, particularly in Africa and Asia.
The spike in global fuel prices, driven by the conflict, is making it more expensive for both students and teachers to travel to educational institutions. It also strains national budgets, reducing funding available for education. This comes on top of existing challenges like climate change, which causes unpredictable floods and droughts, making travel more hazardous for communities reliant on waterways.
In Cambodia, Sou Sreynich, a 13-year-old from the Tonle Sap lake region, dreams of becoming a teacher but started school at age 10 due to fears of drowning during boat commutes. Her family, who relies on fishing, can no longer afford to travel to deeper waters for better catches due to increased fuel costs. This financial pressure means Sreynich sometimes skips school to work, jeopardizing her education. "I want to complete my studies," she stated.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the continuation of the conflict could push up to 23.4 million more children into poverty by the end of the year, with the majority of these children in Africa and Asia.
In Vietnam, 16-year-old Ly and her 13-year-old sister Nhi, from a fishing family, dropped out of school when their father lost his job. The high diesel prices, a consequence of the conflict, made it unaffordable for boat owners to go to sea. The family, already in debt, could not afford to feed all nine children and keep them in school. The sisters moved to Hanoi to work long hours in a restaurant, facing risks of injury, with Nhi's employment being illegal due to child labor laws. A local nonprofit, the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, intervened and helped them return to school.
"When families reach a financial breaking point, they tend to go into triage — keeping some children enrolled while pulling others out to work," explained Michael Brosowski of the foundation. He added that children out of school are more vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking, and homelessness, noting that the situation represents "the tipping point for a lot of families."
Beyond direct travel costs, rising fuel prices increase the expense of essential school supplies like pencils and chalk, and make it harder for teachers and aid workers to reach remote areas. Governments, facing increased costs for food and energy, have less funding for education. In Cambodia, the cost of basic goods, including electricity for facilities like school laboratories, has significantly increased for communities on the Tonle Sap lake, as supplies must be transported by boat.
Developing nations that depend on imported energy are particularly vulnerable to disruptions caused by the war. Increased fertilizer costs and reduced remittances are also straining these economies. In Bangladesh, years of progress in education and poverty reduction are under threat, as government finances are squeezed by rising fuel and subsidy costs, potentially reducing funds for healthcare and education, according to a report by the U.N. Development Programme.
In some South Asian countries, girls are more likely to be affected, as families may prioritize educating sons. Economic hardship could lead to more girls dropping out of school and an increase in child marriages. South Asia already has the highest share of child brides globally, accounting for 45% of the world's total, according to UNICEF.
Furthermore, school feeding programs, which provide at least one meal a day to over 466 million children worldwide, are at risk. These programs are crucial for keeping children in school, improving their concentration, and supporting development. Disruptions to fertilizer shipments and increased transport costs could impact these vital initiatives, especially in West and Central African countries heavily reliant on imported food.
Across northern Nigeria, aid workers report a resurgence of malnutrition among children, a situation that causes significant concern among international organizations monitoring the crisis.