UNICEF DECLARED ABOUT MORE THAN 2500 SYRIAN SCHOOLS DESTROYED DURING THE CIVIL WAR
20:59, 5 March, 2013
YEREVAN, MARCH 5, ARMENPRESS: Almost two years into the Syria crisis,
the escalating level of violence is threatening the education of
hundreds of thousands of children, a UNICEF assessment says.
As reports Armenpress referring to UNICEF official web site, one fifth
of the country's schools have suffered direct physical damage or are
being used to shelter displaced persons.
In cities where the conflict has been most intense, some children
have already missed out on almost two years of schooling.
"The education system in Syria is reeling from the impact of violence,"
said Youssouf Abdel-Jelil, UNICEF Syria Representative.
"Syria once prided itself on the quality of its schools. Now it's
seeing the gains it made over the years rapidly reversed."
UNICEF's education assessment - conducted in December 2012 - notes
that many parents are now reluctant to send their children to school,
fearing for their safety.
At least 2,400 schools have been damaged or destroyed, including 772
in Idlib (50 per cent of the total), 300 in Aleppo and another 300
in Deraa; over 1,500 schools are being used as shelters for displaced
persons; more than 110 teachers and other staff have been killed and
many others are no longer reporting for work.
Some schools have been used by armed forces and groups involved in
the conflict.
The assessment says schools in Idlib, Aleppo and Deraa - where fighting
has been particularly severe - are among the worst affected.
As a result, schoolchildren are often failing to turn up for class,
sometimes attending only twice a week.
In areas hosting high numbers of displaced families, classes are
overcrowded, sometimes hosting up to 100 students.
"Being in school makes children feel safe and protected and leaves
parents hopeful about their children's future", said Mr. Abdel-Jelil.
"That's why so many parents we talk to single out education as their
top priority."
Working to address children's learning needs inside Syria, UNICEF is
supporting more than 170 school clubs in Homs, Deraa, Rural Damascus,
Tartous, Lattakia, Hama and Quneitra. The clubs allow some 40,000
children to receive much needed remedial education and take part
in recreational activities. UNICEF is also providing teaching and
learning supplies and is rehabilitating damaged schools.
20:59, 5 March, 2013
YEREVAN, MARCH 5, ARMENPRESS: Almost two years into the Syria crisis,
the escalating level of violence is threatening the education of
hundreds of thousands of children, a UNICEF assessment says.
As reports Armenpress referring to UNICEF official web site, one fifth
of the country's schools have suffered direct physical damage or are
being used to shelter displaced persons.
In cities where the conflict has been most intense, some children
have already missed out on almost two years of schooling.
"The education system in Syria is reeling from the impact of violence,"
said Youssouf Abdel-Jelil, UNICEF Syria Representative.
"Syria once prided itself on the quality of its schools. Now it's
seeing the gains it made over the years rapidly reversed."
UNICEF's education assessment - conducted in December 2012 - notes
that many parents are now reluctant to send their children to school,
fearing for their safety.
At least 2,400 schools have been damaged or destroyed, including 772
in Idlib (50 per cent of the total), 300 in Aleppo and another 300
in Deraa; over 1,500 schools are being used as shelters for displaced
persons; more than 110 teachers and other staff have been killed and
many others are no longer reporting for work.
Some schools have been used by armed forces and groups involved in
the conflict.
The assessment says schools in Idlib, Aleppo and Deraa - where fighting
has been particularly severe - are among the worst affected.
As a result, schoolchildren are often failing to turn up for class,
sometimes attending only twice a week.
In areas hosting high numbers of displaced families, classes are
overcrowded, sometimes hosting up to 100 students.
"Being in school makes children feel safe and protected and leaves
parents hopeful about their children's future", said Mr. Abdel-Jelil.
"That's why so many parents we talk to single out education as their
top priority."
Working to address children's learning needs inside Syria, UNICEF is
supporting more than 170 school clubs in Homs, Deraa, Rural Damascus,
Tartous, Lattakia, Hama and Quneitra. The clubs allow some 40,000
children to receive much needed remedial education and take part
in recreational activities. UNICEF is also providing teaching and
learning supplies and is rehabilitating damaged schools.