Written by Panashe Mlambo
Introduction
Between 16 and 31 July 2025, education systems across the globe experienced a series of developments that highlight both persistent inequalities and emerging reform efforts. From infrastructure failures and violent conflict to economic pressures and gender inequality, the events of this period demonstrate the complex challenges shaping access to education worldwide.
At the same time, governments, international organisations, and local communities continue to introduce policies and initiatives aimed at strengthening education systems. Examining these developments together provides insight into the structural forces affecting global education today and the urgent need for coordinated responses to safeguard the right to education.
Safety Risks and Infrastructure Failures
Several incidents during this period exposed serious vulnerabilities in school safety and infrastructure. On 21 July 2025, a Bangladesh Air Force training jet crashed into the campus of Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Uttara district shortly after take-off from Kurmitola Air Base. The crash killed at least 31 people, including 25 students, and injured more than 160 others (Reuters 2025). The tragedy triggered protests among students and community members who demanded accountability, compensation for victims’ families, and stricter regulations governing military training flights over populated areas.
Concerns about school safety also emerged in India, where the roof of a government school building in Rajasthan’s Jhalawar district collapsed during heavy monsoon rains, killing four children and injuring several others (Al Jazeera 2025). The incident renewed scrutiny of ageing school infrastructure, particularly in rural areas that frequently face extreme weather conditions.
In the United Kingdom, a school bus carrying children overturned on a rural road in Somerset on 17 July 2025, killing one child and injuring several others (Reuters 2025). The accident prompted renewed calls for stronger safety standards in school transport and clearer emergency protocols for school trips.
These incidents underscore the importance of consistent infrastructure maintenance, climate-resilient school construction, and effective safety protocols to protect students in educational environments.
Education in Contexts of Conflict and Displacement
Conflict and political instability continue to disrupt schooling for millions of children worldwide. In Haiti, escalating gang violence has forced schools such as Anténor Firmin in Hinche to serve as shelters for displaced families instead of functioning as learning spaces (United Nations News 2025). Teachers attempt to continue lessons through improvised classes, but shortages of food, sanitation, and educational materials make regular schooling nearly impossible.
Similarly, the growing number of Sudanese refugees in Libya has created an urgent education crisis. Many children living in Tripoli face homelessness and exploitation, while economic hardship and tuition costs have forced numerous students to drop out of school (Radio Dabanga 2025). Without sustained support, thousands of displaced children risk long-term educational loss.
Education access is even more restricted in Afghanistan, where girls remain banned from attending secondary schools and universities under Taliban policies. Many girls have therefore turned to religious madrassas, where the curriculum focuses primarily on religious instruction with limited exposure to modern subjects (Associated Press 2025). International organisations warn that millions of girls may permanently lose access to secondary education if these restrictions continue.
In Colombia, conflict and poverty continue to undermine education in regions such as Putumayo. The opening of a new branch of the Universidad de la Amazonia in Puerto Asís aims to provide young people with alternatives to illicit economies and armed group recruitment, although insecurity and economic hardship continue to threaten students’ ability to complete their studies (The New Humanitarian 2025).
These cases highlight how conflict and displacement not only interrupt schooling but also deepen long-term educational inequalities.
Gender Inequality and Social Barriers in Education
Gender inequality remains a major barrier to equitable education. In Canada, teachers have reported an increase in misogynistic attitudes among male students influenced by online content and social media personalities. Female teachers have described situations in which students refuse to acknowledge their authority, creating difficult classroom environments (CBC News 2025). Researchers argue that schools must actively address harmful gender stereotypes and promote healthier models of masculinity.
Gender disparities are also evident in Japan’s higher education system, where women remain underrepresented in academic positions and leadership roles despite decades of policy efforts to improve gender equality (Times Higher Education 2025). Experts argue that structural barriers continue to limit women’s participation and advancement within academia.
In Benin, health and sanitation challenges continue to affect girls’ ability to attend school. Menstrual poverty, combined with the absence of appropriate sanitation facilities in many schools, contributes to absenteeism and school dropout among girls. In response, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) distributed 5,000 reusable menstrual hygiene kits to schools as part of a regional initiative to address menstrual insecurity (News Ghana 2025). While the programme represents an important step, long-term solutions will require improved sanitation infrastructure and comprehensive menstrual health education.
These examples illustrate how social norms, gender inequality, and health-related challenges continue to shape educational experiences and access.
Economic Pressures and Structural Challenges
Financial pressures also influence education systems across the globe. In Portugal, the cost of student housing has risen sharply, with the national average rent for a private room exceeding €415 per month. The rising cost of living has made it increasingly difficult for students to afford higher education, particularly in major cities such as Lisbon and Porto (Euronews 2025).
In Egypt, overcrowded classrooms and teacher shortages continue to strain the public education system. Some classrooms reportedly accommodate more than forty students, and in extreme cases up to two hundred (Human Rights Watch 2025). Although the government has introduced pilot initiatives such as preschool programmes in mosques to expand educational capacity, education spending as a proportion of GDP remains below international benchmarks.
Policy debates in the United States also highlight concerns about education funding. Advocacy organisations warn that proposed changes to federal education programmes could affect services for vulnerable groups, including students with disabilities and adult learners.
These cases demonstrate how financial constraints and policy decisions influence both the accessibility and quality of education.
Reform Efforts and Educational Innovation
Despite these challenges, several countries are pursuing reforms aimed at strengthening education systems. In Sri Lanka, the government has proposed transitioning from an exam-centred education system to a module-based model beginning in 2026. The reform aims to encourage continuous assessment and more diverse learning methods.
Technological innovation is also shaping education policy. Rwanda’s Digital Acceleration Project, part of the Smart Rwanda Master Plan, has electrified hundreds of rural schools using off-grid solar power and expanded access to digital learning tools (The Borgen Project 2025). Similarly, Nigeria has approved solar hybrid power systems for several universities in an effort to stabilise electricity supply and support academic activities.
Early childhood education initiatives are also gaining attention. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, a new Early Childhood Development Centre has been established through cooperation between UNICEF, the European Union, and national authorities. The centre aims to identify developmental challenges early and coordinate support across the education, health, and social protection sectors (UNICEF 2025).
Community-driven initiatives are also emerging. In Malaysia, the proposed “Siswa Balik Sekolah” programme seeks to connect university students with rural primary schools, allowing them to mentor younger students in key subjects such as mathematics and science.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate the diverse strategies countries are adopting to improve access to education and strengthen learning outcomes.
Conclusion
The developments observed between 16 and 31 July 2025 reveal a global education landscape marked by both urgent challenges and ongoing reform efforts. Safety incidents in Bangladesh, India, and the United Kingdom highlight the need for stronger infrastructure and protection measures. Meanwhile, conflict and displacement continue to undermine education access in Haiti, Libya, Afghanistan, and Colombia.
At the same time, structural challenges—including gender inequality, economic pressures, and teacher shortages—affect education systems across both developed and developing countries. Nevertheless, reforms such as Sri Lanka’s curriculum changes, Rwanda’s digital infrastructure expansion, and early childhood initiatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina demonstrate that progress remains possible through sustained investment and policy innovation.
Ensuring that every child has access to safe, inclusive, and quality education will require long-term commitment from governments, international organisations, and civil society. Addressing both immediate crises and structural inequalities is essential to safeguarding the right to education worldwide.
Endnotes
- Reuters. “Students protest in Bangladesh after air force jet crash kills 31, mostly children.” 2025.
- Reuters. “One child killed in UK school bus crash.” 2025.
- Al Jazeera. “At least four children dead in school roof collapse in India.” 2025.
- United Nations News. “Schools in Haiti shelter displaced families amid violence.” 2025.
- Radio Dabanga. “Sudanese children on the streets of Tripoli face homelessness and exploitation.” 2025.
- Associated Press. “Afghanistan girls turn to madrassas amid education ban.” 2025.
- CBC News. “Misogyny and online influencers affecting boys in classrooms.” 2025.
- Times Higher Education. “Gender equality challenges in Japan’s higher education sector.” 2025.
- News Ghana. “ECOWAS distributes reusable sanitary kits to Benin schools.” 2025.
- Euronews. “Rising rents: Which is the cheapest city in Portugal for students to live in.” 2025.
- The New Humanitarian. “Colombia’s new university aims to break the cycle of conflict.” 2025.
- The Borgen Project. “The impacts of the Smart Rwanda Master Plan.” 2025.
- UNICEF. “Early childhood development centre opened in Doboj.” 2025.
Reference List
Al Jazeera. (2025). At least four children dead in school roof collapse in India. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/25/at-least-four-children-dead-in-school-roof-collapse-in-india
Associated Press. (2025). Afghanistan girls turn to madrassas amid education ban. https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-taliban-education-girls-madrassa-7cdaf68896e8ccfda2abd71a07a02b99
CBC News. (2025). Misogyny and online influencers affecting boys in classrooms. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/misogyny-online-influencers-boys-classrooms-1.7587571
Euronews. (2025). Rising rents: Which is the cheapest city in Portugal for students to live in. https://www.euronews.com/business/2025/07/29/rising-rents-which-is-the-cheapest-city-in-portugal-for-students-to-live-in
News Ghana. (2025). ECOWAS distributes reusable sanitary kits to Benin schools. https://www.newsghana.com.gh/ecowas-distributes-reusable-sanitary-kits-to-benin-schools
Radio Dabanga. (2025). Sudanese children on the streets of Tripoli face homelessness and exploitation. https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/sudanese-children-on-the-streets-of-tripoli-face-homelessness-and-exploitation
Reuters. (2025). Students protest in Bangladesh after air force jet crash kills 31. https://www.reuters.com
Reuters. (2025). One child killed in UK school bus crash. https://www.reuters.com
The Borgen Project. (2025). The impacts of the Smart Rwanda Master Plan. https://borgenproject.org
The New Humanitarian. (2025). Colombia’s new university aims to break the cycle of conflict. https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org
Times Higher Education. (2025). Gender equality challenges in Japan’s higher education sector. https://www.timeshighereducation.com
UNICEF. (2025). Early childhood development centre opened in Doboj. https://www.unicef.org
United Nations News. (2025). Schools in Haiti shelter displaced families amid violence. https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/07/1165414
No comment yet, add your voice below!