The memories of little Abdulwahab's family are etched with the expressions on his face, as he was expelled from a school in Bani Al-Harith, in the capital Sanaa, just before the exams last year. This heartbreaking incident unfolded due to their inability to pay the school fees for their eldest child. They are filled with sorrow, pain, and a sense of helplessness as the new school year has begun, yet there seems to be no way to enroll their son in school. Their family finds themselves in a dire situation worse than any previous year, fearing a repeat of the expulsion incident.
Abdulwahab's father, hailing from the northern Sanaa district of Bani Al-Harith, poured out his heart to "Khuyut," lamenting, "Education for our children has become a distant dream for many." This somber reflection mirrors the harsh realities endured by families across war-torn Yemen, plagued by over nine years of conflict and the relentless erosion of economic stability.
Recounting the harrowing events of the previous year, Abdulwahab's father shared the heart-wrenching tale of his son being denied entry to the exam hall by the school principal until the overdue fees were settled or a guardian committed to payment post-exam.
Abdulwahab stood on the precipice of losing an academic year, rescued solely by the compassionate intervention of a relative who extended a lifeline. This gesture not only eased the financial burden but also uplifted the young student's morale, acknowledging his exceptional abilities and respected position among his peers. In the face of adversity, Abdulwahab's resilience shines brightly, a beacon of hope amidst the tumultuous sea of uncertainty and hardship.
The Struggle for Education in Yemen: A Cry for Help
The new academic year weighs heavily on the shoulders of weary Yemeni families, burdened by the ravages of war and the aftermath of conflict. Caught in the crossfire of dire economic conditions and the relentless crises, they find themselves unable to provide even the most basic educational necessities for their children. Yemenis have endured a tragic plight for nearly a decade, with no hope of imminent relief or a glimmer of peace to extinguish the flames ignited by the war that has blazed for nine lean years.
In a widely circulated video, the mother of young "Sahar Al-Khawlani," a Yemeni journalist, spoke out about her daughter's abuse at a private school in Sanaa. The tearful child, clad in her school uniform, recounted the mistreatment she endured. She accused her teacher of displacing her from her seat to make room for the daughter of a "Houthi" group leader, a move condemned by observers as a stark manifestation of racism and classism. This incident stands as a stark testimony to the state of education in Yemen.
The students in the capital city of Sanaa and throughout the diverse regions of Yemen confront a multitude of obstacles as they persevere in their pursuit of education. These young souls navigate through treacherous waters where the very essence of learning is at stake, where the threat of being cast out from the sanctuaries of knowledge looms ominously. In their noble quest for enlightenment, they must endure the burdens of oppressive conditions that threaten to stifle their educational aspirations. Their journey is fraught with challenges, from the specter of exclusion to the spectacles of discrimination that mar their academic landscapes. The heavy yoke of sectarian divisions and racial prejudices, birthed from the crucible of conflict, casts a shadow over the educational realm, ensnaring both boys and girls in its insidious grasp.
Sarah Mohammed (a pseudonym) candidly reveals the heart-wrenching reality of her inability to procure essential school supplies for her three children - two daughters and a son - including uniforms and backpacks. Amidst the throes of adversity and the weight of responsibility for her children, she finds herself entangled in a web of uncertainty and hardship.
In a moment of vulnerability, Sarah confides to "Khuyut" that she is contemplating sending only her son to school if she can gather the means to purchase the required supplies. As for her daughters, the idea of their education has been reluctantly pushed aside as she is incapable of providing even the most basic necessities. This decision has created a significant disparity in the education of her daughter, highlighting how the economic challenges faced by families serve as a barrier to the education of girls. This situation stands as one of the primary obstacles preventing girls from completing their education in Yemen.
Students' Plight Amid Escalating School Pressures
Dr. Khaled Al-Jawfi, a seasoned consultant in administration, planning, and training, and former head of the prestigious Al-Khawarizmi Private School, elucidates the profound challenges besieging the realm of education amidst the tumult of war. Drawing a poignant parallel, he characterizes education as a currency of formidable value and complexity, akin to a coin whose lustrous exterior belies the insidious decay lurking within. Despite soaring enrollment figures, the educational outcomes fall short of the desired standards, owing to the systemic intricacies and transformative shifts that have permeated the educational landscape, casting a shadow over the succeeding generations and the nation's future.
In a candid dialogue with "Khuyut," Dr. Al-Jawfi delves into the nuanced responses elicited by the predicament of parents failing to meet tuition obligations at private institutions, exacerbated by harsh economic realities. Leveraging his rich experience as a former director of a distinguished private school in the capital city of Sanaa, he expounds on the multifaceted approaches adopted, ranging from formal notifications through traditional and digital channels to the eventual escalation towards student exclusion from educational pursuits and examination processes.
On the other hand, Dr. Al-Jawfi empathizes with the plight of students and their parents who find themselves helpless in the face of the escalating pressures exerted by private schools towards those unable to afford tuition fees. He poignantly remarks, "In the face of such circumstances, a sense of defeat pervades every family," underscoring the profound impact of these circumstances.
Drawing from his myriad experiences with parents facing financial constraints, Dr. Al-Jawfi observes their profound sense of desolation and frustration, recounting instances where families have resorted to selling household essentials such as gas cylinders or furniture to meet their children's educational fees. He adds, "Students from impoverished families may have grown accustomed to empty promises and futile attempts by parents to fulfill fee obligations. However, we are confronted with a dual hardship, witnessing the anguish and tears in the eyes and faces of students, especially the girls, as they are suspended from examinations. Our hands are tied as we struggle between the pain and tears, caught amidst the pressures exerted by school authorities."
Perpetuation of Social Stratification in the Education
The recent incident that sparked widespread protests and outrage among the Yemeni populace and social media users shed light on the dire state of the educational sector in the capital, Sanaa, and various regions across the country. At the center of this uproar was a viral video showing a young girl lamenting the humiliation she faced when her teacher forced her to the ground to make room for the daughter of a "prominent figure" in Sanaa. Observers deemed this incident as a stark manifestation of the entrenched culture of discrimination and racism plaguing Yemeni schools.
In the widely circulated video, the mother of the girl, Sahar Al-Khawlani, a Yemeni journalist, spoke out about her daughter's abuse at a private school in Sanaa. The tearful girl, clad in her school uniform, accused her teacher of displacing her from her seat to accommodate the daughter of a "Houthi leader." Al-Khawlani was reportedly arrested following these events, according to sources confirming the circulating reports.
Observers characterized the incident as a blatant display of racism and classism, underscoring its significance as a stark reflection of the realities within Yemen's education system. The ravages of war have inflicted untold hardships on students in various regions, coupled with the destruction of educational infrastructure, the prolonged deprivation of teachers' salaries for years, and a myriad of challenges that have plagued the education sector.
Education Disruptions Amidst the Ravages of War
UNICEF reports that Yemen is currently grappling with a profound education crisis, potentially affecting up to 6 million children with disruptions in their learning, leading to significant long-term consequences. Since the onset of the conflict in March 2015, attacks targeting schools, educators, and educational infrastructure have wrought devastating impacts on the nation's educational system and the educational prospects of millions of children.
Social advocate Mohammed Al-Taweel poignantly expresses, "The war-torn years have weighed heavily on families, and the educational plight of students in the capital city of Sanaa and across Yemen has added to the tribulations faced by many, leaving them amidst the shadows of ignorance and the turmoil of displacement." Al-Taweel further conveys to "Khuyut," stating, "The task of educating children has become increasingly arduous," and he emphasizes, "Families are grappling with dire circumstances at the commencement of the new academic year, as parents find themselves in a state of profound incapacity in meeting the demands of schooling."
As the new school year unfolds, parents navigate through a landscape of sorrow and regret, wrought by unfavorable conditions, feeling utterly powerless and bereft of solutions, while their children teeter between a yearning for education and the upheavals they face.
