The Right to Education and Conflicts in Plateau State: Impact on School Attendance and Learning Outcomes

This research examines the impact of recurring intercommunal conflicts in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria, on children's right to education, focusing on school attendance rates and learning outcomes in conflict-affected local government areas. Plateau State has experienced protracted violence between farming and herding communities, resulting in school closures, destruction of educational facilities, displacement of teachers and students, and persistent fear that inhibits school attendance. The study situates its analysis within the right to education under the CRC, UNESCO's Principles for School Safety, and the Safe Schools Declaration endorsed by Nigeria in 2015. A mixed-methods design is employed, combining analysis of school enrollment data disaggregated by conflict exposure from the Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board with field interviews conducted in Riyom, Barkin Ladi, and Mangu local government areas. Findings reveal that conflict-affected schools report enrollment declines of between 25 and 50 percent in acute conflict years, with girls disproportionately affected. Teacher attrition due to security fears is identified as a critical secondary factor. The study further documents the psychological trauma experienced by conflict-exposed children, which undermines learning even when physical attendance resumes. Recommendations include rehabilitation of destroyed school infrastructure, deployment of trauma-informed psychosocial support in conflict-affected schools, and enhanced security guarantees for educational facilities. Keywords: right to education, conflict, Plateau State, school attendance, safe schools.