Educational Disruption and Child Mental Health in Ethiopia

The ongoing armed conflict in Ethiopia has disrupted the education of millions of children, with 8.85 million currently out of school as of early 2024. This Perspective article underscores the urgent and often overlooked mental health consequences of such large-scale educational disruption during conflict. In Ethiopia, schools have historically provided far more than academic instruction—they have served as critical environments for emotional development, socialization, structure, and protection. The collapse of these institutions, particularly in heavily affected regions such as Amhara and Tigray, has led to rising levels of anxiety, trauma, and hopelessness among children. Educational exclusion not only deepens existing social and economic inequalities but also heightens emotional distress and weakens the resilience of already vulnerable populations. This article calls for all efforts to resume educational activities to begin with a cessation of conflict and for the integration of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) into every stage of education recovery.