The war on Syrian education

Issue #9 Date: 11-24-2013

Reem Zaitoon

The numbers
dont lie
-3,465

schools have been

destroyed or damaged
across Syria
-2.8 children are out of
school
-Over half of Syrian
children are rarely able to
concentrate in class
-From an almost 100%
enrollment rate, Syria
has descended to the 2nd
worst rate of school
attendance.
-1 in 10 Syrian children
work instead of going to
school.

Education
is not
Preparation

For life.
Education
is life itself.

Education has never been more

vital for Syrias children.
Education is what Syria desperately needs
if ever wants a fighting chance at rebuilding
itself. Without its youngest generation
receiving its proper education, Syria sees a
dark and doomed future.
Continued on page 2

Issue #: [Date]

Education Interrupted

Dolor Sit Amet

I liked school back home. I

learned a lot with all of my
friends, and I liked all of my
teachers. Now I dont know
were my friends are and if I
will ever have a teacher
again.
-7 year old Ahmed
I want to be a doctor when I
am older. I want to help people
feel better and give them
medicine. But now my brother
tells me that I cant be a doctor
because all of our schools got
destroyed.
-9 year old Hanan

Learning amidst raging conflict

Nearly three years of brutal and unyielding conflict
have put abrupt halts on the education of Syrias
children. However, many Syrian children
managed to escape to nearby countries in order to
seek safety and education. They persevere by
setting up tents and gathering with other refugee
children to learn what they can from adults.
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Issue #: [Date]

Dolor Sit Amet

Psychological Consequences of War

-School childrens
trauma and severe
psychological
distress affects their
ability to learn.
-One in three
children feels
helpless; 38% of
children felt stressed
by their
environment.
-Refugee children get
bullied and picked
on in their new
schools for being
outsiders.
-Syrian children are
repeatedly harassed
and ridiculed and the
bad treatment is
causing more and
more of them to stop
attending school.
-The war back home
has left thousands
mentally ill and
incapable of learning
3
new concepts.

Issue #: [Date]

Dolor Sit Amet

4 Steps Towards Safeguarding the Fundamental

Right of Syrian Children To Quality Education

1. Long-term planning: Regional governments and

international partners must plan for a future which

meets the education needs of Syrian refugee children
over the long term.

2.

Host Countries Should be Supported:

Current levels of funding are not enough for host

countries to effectively support their incoming
refugees.
3. Improve Innovation: Learning opportunities have
helped children deal with devastating trauma by
listening, talking, and playing.

4.End the Devastation of Syrias Education

Infrastructure: Schools should not be used for
military purposes and should be made zones of peace
instead of war.