Human rights experts have issued a warning about the deterioration of the educational system in Yemen and the increasing dropout rate of students due to the ongoing war for the past 9 years.
This crisis threatens to create an educational catastrophe as the Houthi rebels exploit and recruit children.
Experts state that education has become nearly impossible due to the violations committed by the Houthi group against children, turning schools into barracks, training camps, and centers for extremist ideologies.
A survey conducted by the Central Statistical Organization on the state of education in Yemen, disrupted by the war ignited by the Houthi group, reveals that one in four children in primary education and over half of high school students are out of school.
Fahmi Al-Zubairi, the Director of the Human Rights Office in Sanaa’s Capital Municipality, warned of a significant decline in the educational process.
He pointed out that since the Houthi’s armed control over various Yemeni institutions, they have systematically worked to destroy the education system.
Al-Zubairi stated, “Education faces challenging circumstances after the Houthis tightened their grip on it, amidst the collapse of all institutions, infrastructure, and healthcare.”
He further revealed that one of the prominent challenges facing students and parents is the illegal fees and taxes imposed by schools, especially given the deteriorating economic situation.
Currently, 2.5 million children are not attending schools due to the war and the inability to cover the costs of education.
Al-Zubairi emphasized, “The war has led to the destruction or closure of more than 3,500 schools, forcing students to leave education or overcrowd into narrow classrooms, study in tents or shelters.
This underscores the urgent need for intervention from international and UN organizations.”
He added that the Houthi group has targeted some areas with missile attacks, conducted military assaults, and planted landmines, all of which threaten the lives of students and teachers, creating a climate of fear that leads to abandoning education, closing schools, and perpetuating displacement.
A new report from the World Bank reveals that the conflict in Yemen has led to a decline in the quality of education and student dropouts.
Families face significant difficulties in sending their children to schools that operate on an emergency schedule, with part-time classes and intermittent lessons.
The Director of the Human Rights Office further pointed out that the Houthi group continues to alter and distort curricula in a radical and authoritarian manner that threatens Yemen’s future.
Despite widespread public rejection in areas under their control, many educational professionals in Sanaa and the provinces have refused to teach these curricula, which contradict the values of moderation, centrism, and the constitution.
On the other hand, Nabil Abdel-Hafez, the Deputy Minister of Human Rights in Yemen, stated that Yemeni children are one of the most violated segments due to the war.
He mentioned that one of the reasons for dropping out of the educational system is the continuous military operations carried out by the Houthi group to recruit children into combat zones.
Abdel-Hafez described the recruitment of children as a “crime according to international laws and agreements.” He called for the provision of justice, continued monitoring and documentation, and reporting violations through human rights organizations and bodies. He also urged the international community and UN organizations to provide protection for Yemeni children and compel the Houthis to cease their violations against childhood.
He pointed out that more than 4.5 million displaced people, mostly children, have been forced to leave their homes and live in camps, where they all suffer from a lack of access to education.
Additionally, the deliberate impoverishment of the Yemeni people by the Houthi group has pushed many children into the workforce to provide for their families.
