Surviving and Studying: Education in Times of Conflict

Bombs. Fire. Smoke. Blood. Destruction. Displacement. Fear.In the middle of all this chaos are children and teens—young people with entire lives ahead of them, now caught in a nightmare not of their making. They have hopes, goals, dreams of a better future—futures that often depend on the next few critical years of schooling.

But war doesn’t just destroy buildings. It tears through education, ripping away the stability and structure needed for learning. In many cases, these young minds are left with no choice, no time, and no tools to keep moving forward. While adults wage wars, it is the youth who lose time they’ll never get back.

Access

When conflict breaks out, schools are often the first institutions to shut down. Classrooms that once felt safe become empty or unsafe. Students may be forced to shift to remote learning—if such an option even exists.

Internet access becomes scarce or unreliable, and many families don’t have the resources to provide laptops, tablets, or even textbooks. With families fleeing on short notice, children are often forced to leave behind vital study materials in order to carry only essentials. Even if online schooling is available, it’s often disorganized due to the suddenness of the disruption. Students may be left in the dark—unsure of what work to complete, how to contact teachers, or where to even begin.

Learning

Let’s say they do manage to continue. Learning itself becomes a mountain to climb. War brings trauma—displacement, fear, the loss of loved ones, and the overwhelming sight of destruction.

Familiar buildings are reduced to rubble, streets are stained with blood, and cities lie eerily quiet—echoing only with the wail of sirens instead of the lively hum of human presence. How can a child focus on math when their neighborhood was bombed the night before? How do you ask questions, concentrate, or study vocabulary lists when your mind is full of grief and fear?

The emotional toll is heavy. The absence of friends, teachers, and a support system further isolates them, while their mental health declines. Unsurprisingly, learning suffers as a result.

Time

War doesn’t just take away places and peace—it takes away time. Time children should have spent studying is now spent surviving.

Lost between the fear, displacement, and chaos all around them, children are also filled with the responsibility to make any bit of money, fend for food, protect their siblings, and help family members recover from injuries—or bury them. Some are even preoccupied with protecting their families from thieves or gang members.

This makes it incredibly difficult to find a moment to study. Many may even begin to feel selfish or unreasonable for putting their educational needs above basic survival. The days blur together, not with lessons or growth, but with worry and survival.

This mindset is dangerous, as it can lead students to give up on education altogether, putting their future at risk.

Support

There are solutions—and there must be. Governments, NGOs, and humanitarian organizations can create temporary learning centers or school-like shelters in safer areas, equipped with supplies, internet access, and mentors to help students stay on track.

For those who can’t travel, portable study kits and offline learning tools could make a big difference. Additionally, programs that help students relocate to safer countries to continue

their education should be expanded and widely supported.

These efforts not only protect young lives but give them a lifeline—a chance to rebuild through learning. In times of war, education can feel like an afterthought. But it shouldn’t be. For these young minds, learning isn’t just about passing tests—it’s about holding onto hope, structure, and the belief that their lives still matter.

With the right support, we can help them reclaim their futures—even in the darkest of times.

Written by Rita Sam