Yemeni Youth Still Suffer Setbacks Due To War & Economic Collapse

Yemen's modern education system emerged in the mid-20th century, with the first schools established in Aden, a former British colony (until 1967). However, access to education remained limited in rural areas. Families seeking education for their children faced significant costs by sending them to major cities with the few available schools. While education in Yemen is nominally free, economic disparities create unequal access. Many families with financial means opt for private schools, perceived to offer a higher quality education.

In 2011, popular demonstrations erupted demanding improved living standards, equal opportunities, and access to quality education. Concerns about the education system's quality were widely expressed by parents. However, the regime's fall further destabilized the already fragile system. The subsequent political turmoil neglected the education sector, leading to chaos. In 2015, a regional war erupted, causing a six-month closure of all schools and universities. The conflict also displaced over four million Yemenis, forcing them to flee cities for displacement camps in safer areas, often lacking access to educational facilities.

This war has had a devastating impact on education. Many schools, including primary, secondary, vocational, and university institutions, were destroyed. A UNICEF report estimates that at least one in four schools (approximately 2,916) were damaged or destroyed. The war also disrupted teacher salaries, particularly in northern Yemen. Since October 2016, many teachers (around 1,720,000) haven't received their salaries, forcing them to abandon their profession and seek alternative income sources.

The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the situation between 2019 and 2021. School closures affected an estimated 5.8 million children, including 2.5 million girls. Unlike neighboring countries, Yemen's limited Ministry of Education resources and the overall situation hampered the development of effective e-learning programs that could have supported students during this period.

The ongoing war, coupled with deteriorating political and economic conditions, has led to a significant decline in education enrollment rates. The secondary school dropout rate is around 48%, representing nearly half of all children eligible for education. Even in areas with functioning schools, approximately 6% of primary school children miss out on education. The overall national dropout rate is a staggering 30.5%, with UNICEF estimating that 2.05 million children were out of school in 2021.

Yemeni families are typically large, averaging around seven members. This places a significant burden on fathers, who are often the sole breadwinners. The following factors further compound the challenges of providing for their children's education:

·       Unpaid Government Salaries: This disrupts a major source of income for many families.

·       Reduced Private Sector Activity: This likely reflects a decline in business activity, leading to fewer job opportunities.

·       Limited Work Opportunities for Day Laborers: This makes it harder for families to find temporary or informal work to supplement their income.

As a result, many parents struggle to meet their children's basic needs, including education. Previously available government programs that provided free textbooks are no longer operational, adding to the financial burden. With limited resources, some families are forced to prioritize one child's education over another's. This prioritization may involve:

1.     Child Labor: An older child may need to work to support the family while younger siblings attend school.

2.    Split Schedules: Children may attend school in the morning and work in the afternoon to contribute to the household income.

Ahmed holds congratulatory remarks from his school.

The shortcomings of the public education system also push some parents to consider private schools, even if it means sacrificing other necessities. This prioritization of education often comes at a cost:

·       Inadequate Nutrition: Children may not receive adequate nutrition due to limited family resources, impacting their health and learning ability.

·       Neglected Essentials: Families may neglect other essential needs, such as healthcare, to afford education.

These challenges are further exacerbated by the overall social and economic instability in Yemen.

Ahmed Basrawi's Story: A Microcosm of the Crisis - Ahmed Basrawi, a seventh-grader, also suffers from childhood diabetes. His father, who previously worked in a school canteen earning a monthly salary of 20,000 riyals, lost his job due to the ongoing crisis in Yemen. This has made it difficult for Mr. Basrawi to afford basic necessities or his children's education. Despite these hardships, he is determined to break the cycle of poverty for his children.

Determined to provide his children with an education, Mr. Basrawi approached the school owner and pleaded for a solution. He even offered to work as unpaid labor in exchange for his children's education. Touched by Mr. Basrawi's plight, the school owner generously waived their fees. Now, Al-Basrawi faces a new challenge: supporting his family while affording diabetes treatment for Ahmed, who recently completed seventh grade.