New Delhi, June 25: India has urged the United Nations to take action against those targeting children and schools in armed conflicts. The nation described the dire situation of children trapped in conflict zones as a “grave failure of humanity.”
During a debate on children and armed conflict at the UN Security Council on Wednesday, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, P. Harish, emphasized that “security for children and schools is incomplete without accountability.” He insisted that those who attack schools and children without facing consequences must be held responsible.
Harish pointed out that a report from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres indicated a staggering 44% increase in attacks on schools in just one year (2025). He noted that nearly 473 million children, more than one in six, live in or flee from conflict zones, with over 85 million children receiving no education whatsoever.
These statistics clearly demonstrate that the global community has failed to fulfill its commitments, he stated. Harish also highlighted India’s digital platform for school education, DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing), as a potential model for educating children in conflict-affected or displaced communities.
He explained that DIKSHA has made quality education accessible through interactive content and AI-powered tools in multiple languages. “Our experience has assured us that access to digital learning can be the bridge that helps children gain education during conflicts,” he added.
Harish stressed that education is crucial for those bearing the brunt of war. In line with this belief, India has consistently invested in the education of refugees and displaced communities from neighboring countries. He mentioned that India has invested in rebuilding educational infrastructure, including schools and vocational training centers, in various countries, including its neighbors.
“Continuous learning is one of the most powerful means of resilience and recovery,” he remarked.
Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF, warned about drones, autonomous systems, and AI-supported targeting systems that are exacerbating the already dangerous situation for children and schools. She stated, “As the nature of warfare evolves, our commitment to ensuring the safety of children must remain steadfast.”
Vanessa Frazer, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, noted that the past year was the worst in at least 30 years for serious violations against children. In 2025, the UN confirmed 38,558 serious violations against children, affecting 24,174 children. This figure is the highest recorded since the office was tasked with preparing annual reports on children and armed conflicts.
Frazer indicated that most verified violations in 2025 occurred in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Myanmar, and Somalia.
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