The school year in Mali began Thursday with significant disruption, as thousands of children are unable to return to classrooms due to ongoing insecurity. Persistent safety concerns are preventing access to education for many students across the country. This situation casts a shadow over the start of the academic year and highlights the challenges faced by the education system in Mali. Authorities have not yet provided a comprehensive list of affected schools or regions, but reports indicate widespread closures. The lack of access to schooling exacerbates existing vulnerabilities and threatens the future of a generation. Efforts to address the insecurity and ensure the safe return to learning are urgently needed in Mali.