Insecurity Leaves Over 500,000 Children Out of School in Mali

BAMAKO, Mali - Children’s rights organizations report that more than 500,000 schoolchildren are unable to attend classes due to the closure of at least 1,700 schools nationwide, according to UNICEF Mali and the March 2025 Education Cluster report.

The school closures are largely a result of insecurity, with areas under the control of terrorist groups deemed unsafe for educational activities. To mitigate the impact, local authorities and social services have implemented alternative solutions for displaced children.

In Goundam, northern Mali, a primary school opened on October 1, 2025, for students displaced from the M’Béra camp in Mauritania. Classes are conducted in temporary structures to ensure continuity, under the guidance of local authorities and the special delegation of the municipality of Gargando.