The UN says South Sudan has the highest number of children out of school in the conflict affected regions in the world.

It says 1.8 million children who should have gone to school are not accessing formal education.

The UN Children agency, UNICEF, assessed children in conflict zones in 22 countries, where nearly 24 million of them do not go to school.

The analysis highlights that nearly 25 percent of some 109 million children of primary and lower secondary school age are missing out on their education.

Niger comes second after South Sudan, with 47 percent of its children unable to attend school, followed by Sudan and Afghanistan.

UNICEF says these children are mostly between six and 15 years.

“Children living in countries affected by conflict have lost their homes, family members, friends, safety, and routine,” said UNICEF Chief of Education Jo Bourne.

“Now, unable to learn even the basic reading and writing skills, they are at risk of losing their futures and missing out on the opportunity to contribute to their economies and societies when they reach adulthood.”

UNICEF South Sudan is appealing for 25 million US dollars in 2016 to get out-of-school children back to learning.