UNITED NATIONS, Feb 11, 2010 (IPS) - The relentless attacks on educational institutions in war zones - along with growing threats against academics, teachers and school-going children - have jeopardised one of the U.N.'s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) - education for all by 2015.

As a result, over 40 million children worldwide are missing out on primary school, particularly in conflict-affected fragile states, says a new report released here by the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Many of the children are forced to miss school "due to direct attacks on their learning spaces, their teachers or even on themselves as learners."

"In situations of armed conflict and insecurity, deliberate attacks on, and threats against learners, academics, teachers and educational facilities are both a barrier to the right to education, and a serious protection issue," says Mark Richmond, director of UNESCO's division for the coordination of U.N. priorities in education.

The commitment made by the international community to achieve the goal of "education for all" (EFA) by 2015 has been threatened by these attacks, he adds.