UNICEF condemns attacks on teachers in Kaga-Bandoro
NEW YORK (October 13, 2016) – Three teachers in training, the director of the Regional Pedagogical Center were violently killed in Kaga-Bandoro, Central African Republic, on Wednesday, October 12th, according to accounts by the Ministry of Education. The Vice President of the Association of Parents was also killed.
According to witnesses reporting to UNICEF, armed men attacked the secondary school while a teachers’ training session was underway. The training was part of a UNICEF program funded by the European Union to strengthen the education system in CAR in partnership with the NGO InterSOS.
“These men have committed unacceptable violence against civilians, even attacking displaced persons,” said Mohamed Malick Fall, UNICEF’s Representative in Central African Republic. “We are deeply shocked by these developments and saddened that teachers have been targeted, people who were working tirelessly for the education of children in the Central African Republic.”
The city of Kaga-Bandoro has been on edge for the past month following multiple violent incidents, with attacks and crimes against humanitarian organizations, which have already reduced their staff levels in the region and cut back their activities. The start of the school year, scheduled for the 19th of September, has been delayed in Kaga-Bandoro because of ongoing security concerns.
Throughout the Central African Republic, several thousand children are deprived of education because their schools have been looted or are occupied and controlled by armed groups.
“Schools and educational facilities should never be targets by any armed groups,” said Mohamed Malick Fall. “All children have the right to learn in the safety of their schools and of course teachers need that same security to be effective educators and mentors.”
UNICEF stressed that attacks against schools are a serious violation of international humanitarian law and called on all parties to honor their obligations and cease attacks on educational institutions.
About UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.
For more information, contact:
Chloe Kay, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 917.214.1418, ckay@unicefusa.org