Colombia: Armed groups’ attacks on education affect over 12,000 students and teachers

Attacks on education occurred every three days on average in Colombia during the first six months of 2026, with almost 12,000 children, teachers and school staff caught up in the violence, according to new data from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

The data comes from NRC's documentation of attacks on education across Colombia's conflict areas between January and June 2026, covering 61 incidents within seven departments where the organisation provides humanitarian assistance to people affected by the armed conflict.

Four in ten attacks took place on the routes children take to school; the majority happened directly inside the classrooms and school grounds.