Lessons in War: Military Use of Schools and Other Education Institutions during Conflict

This report examines how armed forces and non-state armed groups used schools and universities as bases, barracks, weapons caches, firing ranges, and interrogation and detention centers in most conflicts around the world in the years 2005 to 2012. It also described the deadly consequences of this practice, including converting education facilities into legitimate military targets under international law, and the resultant risk of students being caught in attacks by opposing forces. For more information about military use and the Draft Lucens Guidelines, an initiative to restrict this practice, please visit GCPEA’s website. For this study, evidence was gathered on the nature, scope, and consequences of the use of education institutions by armed forces during the period of January 2005 to October 2012. Using examples drawn from conflicts in 24 countries around the world, across four continents, this study demonstrates both the practice of militaries using education institutions and the consequences of such use for students, educators, and communities.