UNICEF: One Million Children Out of School in Burkina Faso

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) announced that "more than one million children and 31,000 teachers have been unable to return to their classrooms in Burkina Faso due to violence and insecurity as the new school year begins today, Monday." It noted that "approximately 6,100 schools, or at least one in every four, closed their doors on the first day of the school year." John Agbor, UNICEF's representative in Burkina Faso, stated in the announcement: "The existence of such a large number of children still unable to return to school due to violence and insecurity, and the closure of many schools, is extremely concerning." UNICEF pointed out that "over 3.8 million children are still scheduled to return to schools in Burkina Faso, including in conflict-affected areas," adding that it is working with authorities and other partners to help facilitate access to education, including through programs such as providing lessons via radio broadcasts.