UNICEF Yemen: Lingering impact of conflict shadowing learning environment of children in Yemen

Deep in the high mountains of Razih, Sa’ada, in northern Yemen, children in small communities continue to face the long-lasting impact of recurring conflicts. Aid deliveries and access to basic services remain limited in the area that can only be reached with nearly a seven-hour road journey from the central city of Sa’ada on rugged terrains avoiding bridges and roads destroyed by airstrikes.

In particular, children bear the brunt of limited educational opportunities and school facilities destroyed during long years of conflict. Al-Imam Al Hadi School is one stark example, which continues to serve hundreds of students despite having been bombed out and left with concrete skeletons without a roof or walls.

“The school was bombed by an aircraft in 2009 during the sixth war. From that day until now, it has been like this as you see. We were hoping that this school would be built for a better future for the students but the circumstances forced the school to remain as it is” said Hussein Yahya, the principal of the school, adding that some students dropped out of school or stopped education altogether.

“The educational environment has a significant impact on the psychological status of students and the school needs to be rebuilt and furnished,” he said.

Students sit on concrete floors without desks, chairs or even blackboards, and take exams on the floor often wet with rain. Broken poles and exposed wires hang on the fragile structure, stalking fears of collapse.

Abdul-Malik, an eighth-grade student says, “We are exposed to the sun, cold and rain. And dirt and stones are everywhere. When heavy rains were falling on us, we stopped studying. Yes, it is hard. My parents worry until I get home. They are afraid that I may fall off a pole (of the destroyed school) or come home sick.”

Nestled in the highest areas of the mountains bordering Saudi Arabia, the communities have limited sources of livelihood. Most families near the school engage in farming or herding, and children, including Abdul-Malik, support their family business or spend hours fetching water from afar due to the lack of safe and sustainable water sources nearby, an additional burden for students juggling school and household chores. Despite challenges and safety concerns, around 500 students come to the school every day, keeping their strong appetite to study.

“I like going to school to study and see my friends. It is important for building my future and my dreams.”

Abdul-Malik

Parents and community members are eager to support children. They have tried to improve the school conditions by adding concrete blocks in a classroom on the first floor. However, the destruction is so huge that more comprehensive support is needed to revamp the learning environment and establish a conducive and safe space.

The conflict and collapsing education systems have had a profound impact on the learning environment for children in Yemen. Across the country, 2,426 schools have been either partially or fully damaged, or not functional, and one out of every four students of school age does not attend school. Those who can go to school are forced to cope with unequipped facilities and overburdened teachers, who are often not receiving salaries on a regular basis.

UNICEF is supporting the rehabilitation and construction of 891 schools in Yemen this year. It also offers incentives for over 39,000 teachers to continue providing quality education. For Al-Imam Al Hadi School, chairs, desks and blackboards will be provided to improve the condition. But to completely restore or build a safer school environment for children, more resources are needed.

“I hope the school will be built and furnished. I want it to be equipped with sanitary spaces, benches, blackboards, doors and windows because we have nothing,” said Abdul-Malik. “I hope our situation will be better so that I can reach a higher level.”