The impact of the internal armed conflict on the right to education for children in Ecuador

Abstract

Since 2023, Ecuador has been experiencing an unprecedented context of internal armed conflict, officially declared through Executive Decree No. 111, which acknowledges the threat posed by organized crime and its influence on the deterioration of national security. This situation has led to an increased military presence in civilian spaces, including schools, directly affecting the right to education. Violence, particularly in provinces such as Esmeraldas, Guayas, and Manabí, has resulted in school closures, forced displacement of families, child recruitment, and growing insecurity in educational environments. These conditions severely undermine the emotional, cognitive, and social development of children, jeopardizing their right to safe, continuous, and quality education. Although this right is guaranteed by the Ecuadorian Constitution and international treaties such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, state responses have been insufficient—focused mainly on security rather than on comprehensive approaches that include mental health, social protection, and child participation. This article highlights the urgent need for public policies that address the crisis through a holistic vision centered on the best interests of the child.