When we think about war-affected children and ponder over how unfortunate it is for adolescents to be deprived of their right to education. Rarely do we think about the children whose youth was stripped off of them. The children who were abducted, forcibly recruited or even voluntarily joined; the Child Soldiers.
It’s the sad reality that the use of child soldiers has spread to almost every region of the world and to every armed conflict. For a child to witness such atrocities and partake in this form of violence- rips them away from their childhood. These children are forever scarred by the traumatic experiences they went through. To make matters worse, most child soldiers are removed from the civilian population, and they cannot benefit from any form of education opportunities- formal or informal. For example in Myanmar, Children have been often forcibly conscripted into the national army (Tatmadaw Kyi). It’s nerve-wracking how this trend is only increasing as Ten countries were using child soldiers in 2013 in government military operations, compared to seven in the 2012. These ten are the Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Myanmar, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
Not only do child soldiers suffer greatly during conflict times but it’s unfortunate how their suffering only increases once the conflict ends. There are unimaginable psychological consequences which these children have to endure such as PTSD, depression, hate and the general inability to cope with daily life. Post-conflict zones need to reintegrate child soldiers back into civilian life and these children have to establish a completely new different identity. Can you imagine having to completely change and let go the way of life and set of values you had adopted in order to survive over the years?
When it comes to educational opportunities, these children are unable to attain education as they are usually too old to join the formal educational system, even if they want to. Access to education is one of the most often requested supports by demobilized child soldiers. In Liberia, 77 percent of former child soldiers said they wanted to return to school. This is the sad state of affairs as these children are deprived of their fundamental human right to education. There are several accounts of child soldiers yearning to have chosen education over partaking in the armed conflict. As a child soldier taking part in the conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo notes, “We heard that we could get money there [in the armed group]. I went because I wanted to get enough money to go back to school.”
This and the lack of other socio-economic opportunities is what makes child soldiers voluntarily join the armed forces. The tragedy stands with the fact-that they have no other option...
The case of child soldiers is heartbreaking reality. Children who barely even understand life are forced into such a cruel world by becoming soldiers and having to partake in violent activities. That is no place for a child. Their brain has not even been given a chance to fully form before they are thrust into this world. And once they are in it, having to see the things they see, and do the things they do, there is no coming back. Theyve been forever robbed of a normal life, let alone a normal childhood.
You’ve highlighted a very important issue. Child soldiers are hardly ever a part of the conversation, it’s always about the younger children who are forced to stay out of school or other people who have lost everything to war and are forced to live as refugees. Why do you think it’s the case that no one talks about Child Soldiers? At the end of the day they are children as well who deserve to be given the right to education just like other students. Do you think after being exposed to such violence these children resort to criminal activities because once their childhood has been snatched from them, violence is all that’s known to them? Not just violence also the…
Some good points. This is why education during conflicts is even more important because learners are less likely to experience exploitation such as gender-based violence, forced or early marriage, enlistment in the military and other hazards when they are in secure learning contexts. They can learn new dangers like landmines through education, as well as how to defend themselves.
Children's emotional effects from violence, disaster, and displacement are lessened by education. In a world that is frequently chaotic, going to school and engaging in learning with friends and trusted adults helps children rediscover a feeling of stability, and structure.
Through learning environments, protection, nutrition, water and sanitation, and health services can all be provided, assuring children's safety, disseminating essential knowledge,…
Thank you for raising a very valid concern. As per a blog post I also put up recently, Al-Shabaab is also actively involved in the abduction of students from school and in their enrolment as child soldiers. While the impact of these forceful enrolments on education is a very interesting perspective, I believe we often fail to recognize and acknowledge the role that education can play in the successful reintegration of these child soldiers into their families and communities since the kind of traumatic experience they have been through subjects them to certain psycho-social and vocational needs.
I believe that in terms of education, there should be some sort of transition courses for these child soldiers focused on their psycho-social…
I agree with you! Usually these child soldiers also end up joining these armies because they have no food or financial security. And thus are forced into fighting so they can feed their family members and provide them with some comfort at the hands of their own peace and innocence. During the conflict of Sierra Leone, 25% of the RUF was made up of child soldiers. These armies treat them horribly and there are many cases of assault and harassment within towards these child soldiers. Female fighters especially are vulnerable.