12 million children have missed up to four months of school across Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger due to COVID-19 restrictions. A further 776,000 children have also been prevented from attending school the entire year. Many schools across the region lack the resources to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmissions. In Niger for example, water and hygiene facilities in schools are far from adequate. In total, only 15% of around 18,000 schools in the country have water points, and less than one-third have toilets. While in Burkina Faso, overcrowded schools made space for displaced children who fled violence, even though COVID-19 prevention measures require less students per classroom.  In addition, schools are also subject to the effects of conflicts. With 90 attacks reported on education in Central Sahel between January and July 2020 alone. Burkina Faso also experienced the highest number of attacks with over 40 reported incidents, including arson, looting of schools, abduction and threats of killing teachers. School children are also at risk of sexual exploitation and violence. The UN Recorded 387 child marriage cases in Mali in 2020, compared to 178 two years ago.