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Tareq, a 10-year-old from Gaza, and Safaa, a 14-year-old from Sudan, live approximately 2,000 kilometers apart, yet they share a common experience: both have seen war rob them of their education. Tareq reflects on the devastation he faced when he saw his school in ruins. “When I saw my school in ruins, a deep sadness overwhelmed me,” he shares with the BBC. “I long for it to return to what it once was.” Despite the challenges, Tareq hasn’t given up on his education. He continues to study at home, making the most of every opportunity so that when schools reopen, he will be ready.
In Sudan, Safaa’s dreams remain unbroken despite the horrific realities of the civil war. “I’m still holding on to hope,” she says. Her dream is to become a heart surgeon, inspired by the traumatic experiences of seeing countless lives lost during the violence. “Bodies were scattered everywhere, which deeply moved me and made me want to save lives instead of seeing them being lost,” she reflects. Her story, like that of Tareq, underscores the harsh reality that millions of children in conflict zones face.
According to the United Nations children’s agency UNICEF, an estimated 30 million children are currently out of school in the Middle East and North Africa due to ongoing conflicts. Of this, more than half—around 16.5 million—are in Sudan alone. This number highlights the severe disruption caused by war and conflict, making it clear that the impact on children’s education is a crisis that demands urgent attention.
The situation in Gaza is similarly dire. In the past year alone, over 600,000 children—essentially all school-aged children in Gaza—have been unable to receive an education, according to Saleem Oweis, a spokesperson for UNICEF. “We’re seeing a clear pattern that conflicts, insecurity, and crises are inflicting real harm on children’s education and learning,” Oweis states. These figures paint a grim picture of the long-term impact conflict has on children’s futures.
In Sudan, the scale of destruction is staggering. Almost two years into the civil war, millions of children live in refugee camps, where access to education is often limited to local, community-driven efforts. Sudan’s education minister, Ahmed Khalifa, reports that nearly 60% to 70% of the country’s 15,000 public schools have been completely destroyed due to military action and militia violence. Even in relatively safer areas, the damage to schools is widespread, leaving millions of children without formal education.
In response to this dire need, the BBC World Service has launched an Arabic edition of its educational programme Dars (Arabic for “Lesson”). The programme, originally launched in 2023 for children in Afghanistan, has now expanded to reach children in Gaza, Sudan, and other parts of the Middle East. Dars aims to offer educational support to children aged 11 to 16 who are unable to attend school due to war or conflict. The weekly lessons cover subjects such as mathematics, technology, climate change, and mental health, providing a lifeline for children in desperate need of education.
The programme also features the stories of children like Tareq and Safaa, who are determined to continue learning despite the challenges around them. It is broadcast weekly on BBC News Arabic TV, with new episodes airing every Sunday at 05:30 GMT, and also available on digital platforms, including YouTube and through radio services in Gaza and Syria.
Through Dars, the BBC offers a glimmer of hope for children whose education has been disrupted by war. The programme represents an opportunity for children to continue their studies, helping them build a brighter future in the midst of the darkest times. While the educational crisis in these regions remains severe, Dars serves as an important tool in the ongoing effort to support and uplift children caught in the crossfire of war.
Tareq’s resilience is a testament to the enduring human spirit. Despite the loss of his school, he continues to learn in the hope that one day, he will return to a classroom. Safaa, too, remains hopeful. Her dream of becoming a heart surgeon, though challenged by the war around her, is still very much alive.
The Dars programme highlights the power of education in conflict zones, offering a lifeline for millions of children in Gaza, Sudan, and beyond. It underscores the importance of providing these children with the tools to learn and the opportunity to rebuild their futures, no matter the obstacles they face. The international community must continue to support such initiatives and ensure that education remains a fundamental right for all children, even in the most challenging circumstances.
For further information on UNICEF’s efforts to support children in conflict zones, visit their official site. To learn more about the BBC’s Dars programme and access episodes, visit BBC News Arabic.
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