24,000 Children Deprived of Education in Artsakh

Due to the large-scale military operations launched by Azerbaijan with the active support of Turkey since early morning on September 27 along the Artsakh-Azerbaijan contact line, over 24,000 children in the Republic of Artsakh have been deprived of the opportunity to exercise their right to education by attending school. This information was reported by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports.

Despite its international obligations, Azerbaijan continues to shell educational institutions with prohibited weapons under international law. As a result of military aggression, more than ten schools, as well as several kindergartens and support buildings, have been damaged. Thousands of children are also deprived of the opportunity to attend kindergarten, and young people are unable to continue their education at universities.

It is worth recalling that, in response to letters from the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, A. Harutyunyan, UNESCO expressed deep concern about the ongoing escalation of violence in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, which results in an increase in civilian casualties and damages civil infrastructure, including schools, cultural, and religious sites.

UNESCO also called for refraining from any attack or harm to children, teachers, educational staff, or schools, and to ensure the right to education based on the principles of the "Safe Schools Declaration" and in accordance with its guidelines. These documents restrict the use of schools and universities for military purposes and urge to strengthen the protection of education from attacks as well as to ensure the continuity of safe education during armed conflicts.