More than 137,000 students in conflict zones in Yemen have lost access to education, exacerbating the country's educational crisis. In Taiz, 12-year-old Ahmed lives in a displacement camp after fleeing his village of al-Ashroh. He describes life in the camp as 'boring' and misses his school and classmates. Ahmed left his school bag behind during the evacuation and is uncertain if he will return to school.
According to UNICEF, hundreds of schools in conflict-affected areas have suspended classes, impacting over 137,000 students. The UN reported that more than 57,000 children were displaced due to fighting in Yemen in the first two weeks of September, a figure that is likely to rise as hostilities continue.
Following four years of relative calm, clashes between pro-government forces and the Houthis escalated sharply in August and September, further disrupting education. Ahmed's family is focused on securing shelter and basic needs rather than education.
Mohammed Radman, a displacement coordinator, noted that thousands of students are displaced and many have had to abandon their education due to the dire circumstances. He categorized schools in conflict zones into three groups: those used as shelters, overcrowded schools, and schools located near the front lines, creating significant challenges for students and educational authorities.
Before the recent escalation, 3.2 million children were already out of school in Yemen. Tawfiq al-Humaidi, president of SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties, warned that the ongoing conflict leaves children vulnerable to homelessness and exploitation.
Abdulkarim, a teacher in Taiz, highlighted the difficulties of providing education in a war zone, noting that fear and instability hinder learning. He emphasized the need for a safe environment for students before education can resume.
Sociologist Afrah al-Humaiqani expressed concern that the current situation could lead to a new generation of illiteracy in Yemen but believes that collaboration between the Yemeni government and international organizations could mitigate the crisis. She called for the establishment of safe camps, provision of teachers and textbooks, and programs to address learning loss and provide psychosocial support for children.