Today marks World Teachers’ Day 2025, a day dedicated to honoring teachers and recognizing their vital role in shaping the future of children and societies. Yet, this year’s commemoration underscores an alarming reality: millions of children remain out of school, especially in conflict zones, and teachers themselves continue to face severe challenges.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has issued a stark warning. Its latest report reveals that the global number of out-of-school children and young people (Oosc), long stagnant at around 265 million, rose to 272 million in 2023.
With official development assistance for education projected to fall by USD 3.2 billion—a 24 percent decrease from last year—UNICEF estimates that this figure could climb further to 278 million.
Nicola Graziano, president of UNICEF Italy, emphasized the stakes: “No child should be deprived of the right to learn and build a future: ensuring trained, motivated and supported teachers means not only offering knowledge, but also protection, hope and opportunities for life.”
The figures paint a troubling picture. Of the 234 million children who require urgent support to access education, 85 million are entirely excluded from schools. Among them, 52 percent are girls, 17 percent are refugees or internally displaced, and more than 20 percent are children with disabilities.
The crisis is especially acute in conflict-affected regions. In Gaza, more than 1.46 million children face severe barriers to education. As of June 2025, 588 school buildings had been damaged or destroyed, 538 of them in the Gaza Strip.
In Sudan, the situation is equally grim: more than 17 million of the country’s 19 million school-age children are not in classrooms. Meanwhile, in Haiti, gang violence and political unrest have pushed 1.4 million children into urgent need of educational support.
Beyond conflict, the broader education system also suffers from chronic underinvestment. According to UNICEF, only 31 percent of countries have effective teacher development systems in place, far below the 64 percent global target. This shortfall leaves many teachers unprepared and unsupported, undermining the quality of learning.
Teachers remain the backbone of education. They not only impart knowledge but also provide stability, safety, and hope in times of crisis. “Investing in teachers means investing in the future,” UNICEF stressed, reiterating its commitment to ensuring that teachers worldwide are trained, motivated, and equipped to support every child.
As the world observes World Teachers’ Day, UNICEF is calling on governments and the international community to urgently step up investment in education. Without such action, the gap between children with access to learning and those deprived of it will only widen, creating generations left behind.
“On this World Teachers’ Day, we would like to express our gratitude to all teachers and educators who, with courage and dedication, continue to guide children in their education, even in the most difficult contexts,” Graziano said.
“It is essential that governments and the international community urgently invest in education, so that every child, wherever he or she is, can count on the presence of a teacher at his or her side.”