At the UN Security Council on 2 March 2026 in New York, the United Kingdom’s Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, Ambassador James Kariuki, set out three priorities for safeguarding children’s right to safe, inclusive and quality education in conflict. The open briefing-chaired by the First Lady during the United States’ March presidency-centred on children, technology and education in conflict and followed remarks from UN political chief Rosemary DiCarlo. (gov.uk)
Citing escalating harm to education systems, the UK highlighted that in Gaza 97% of school buildings have sustained damage and more than 650,000 children have been out of school for over two years; in Sudan one in three schools has been damaged and 8 million children are out of school; and in Ukraine 4.6 million children face barriers to learning because of Russia’s invasion. These figures framed London’s case for urgent protection of civilian infrastructure. (gov.uk)
Kariuki underscored that parties to conflict must comply with international humanitarian law, including specific protections for schools and students. The Security Council’s consensus framework includes Resolution 2601 (2021) on protecting education during armed conflict and the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism created by Resolution 1612 (2005) to track grave violations against children. (digitallibrary.un.org)
The statement reiterated UK support for the Safe Schools Declaration and called on other states to endorse and implement it. Endorsement entails translating the Guidelines for Protecting Schools and Universities from Military Use into domestic doctrine, rules of engagement and training so that armed forces avoid using education facilities except, if ever, as a last resort. The UK endorsed the Declaration in April 2018. (ssd.protectingeducation.org)
On sustaining learning, the UK said emerging technologies can help children continue to learn when classrooms are inaccessible, including via remote platforms and AI-enabled support, while noting these are not substitutes for in‑person schooling. UNICEF’s Learning Passport-a UNICEF–Microsoft programme-has surpassed 10 million users across 47 countries, illustrating the potential at scale; UNESCO separately urges a rights‑based approach to AI to avoid deepening inequalities. (unicef.org)
The UK also warned that technology can expose children in conflict to new harms, pointing to evidence from Colombia where armed groups increasingly use social media to recruit children. UN-verified data show recruitment and use of children in Colombia has quadrupled over five years, with agencies noting the role of online platforms-prompting calls for stronger safeguards by governments and technology companies. (unicef.org)
Girls’ education featured prominently. The UK noted that in conflict settings girls are more likely to be out of school and face heightened risks of exploitation, child marriage, trafficking, and sexual and gender‑based violence. Security Council Resolution 2601 recognises these gendered impacts and calls for measures to protect education continuity and safety for girls and boys alike. (digitallibrary.un.org)
In Gaza, the UN reports that almost all schools require major rehabilitation or full reconstruction, many after serving as shelters for displaced families; disruption on this scale demands multi‑year recovery planning that integrates explosive ordnance risk education, temporary learning spaces and mental health and psychosocial support alongside repairs. (ochaopt.org)
On financing and delivery, the UK referenced support channelled through UNICEF, the Global Partnership for Education and Education Cannot Wait. The UK has pledged £430 million to GPE for 2021–2026; ECW’s latest results indicate 14 million crisis‑affected children reached since inception across partnered programmes. The statement also highlighted UK-backed efforts to keep girls learning in crises, including through ECW. (globalpartnership.org)
Policy implications for member states are clear from today’s UN discussion: comply with IHL protections for schools; implement the Safe Schools Declaration’s Guidelines in military doctrine; strengthen the UN Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism to deter and sanction grave violations; invest in digital learning only with child‑safeguarding by design and robust data protection; and ensure technology partnerships address the specific needs of girls and other at‑risk learners. (ssd.protectingeducation.org)
The Council’s focus on ‘Children, Technology and Education in Conflict’ will continue under the US presidency this month. Concept notes trail further discussion on widening safe digital access while reducing online risks, including cooperation with the private sector-an agenda aligned with calls from UNICEF and others to ensure education remains a protection measure as well as a right. (securitycouncilreport.org)