Yemen: Education Key to Reform

As schools prepare to open in Yemen, families in Sana’a, the capital, are bracing themselves for the side effects of political turmoil.

Yemeni parents have been voicing their concern about the prices of school supplies and registration fees, leaving some unable to afford sending their children to study this term, which begins on September 17.

However, one parent expressed the importance of children attending school regardless of the current situation in Yemen.

"If there is a desire for change within the community, it will only come from education. We cannot establish change within our society without a generation armed with education. Education is extremely important and children must seek it under any circumstances, be it times of war or peace," said Abdul Elah Salam, a parent of one of the students.

Meanwhile, school administrator Jamila Abdullah said educators kick-started a campaign to encourage school attendance during times of protests.

"We try as much as possible to tell parents that the current events are relevant to adults, not children. We have been trying to convince parents and, thank God, there has been good response even though our school is right in the middle of the location of the protests. Thank God, there has been high demand, especially from students coming from private schools due to the rise in costs, rise of petrol prices," she said.

Ongoing protests demanding that President Ali Abdullah Saleh relinquish power have affected the infrastructure and services of an already impoverished country.

Speakers:

Abdul Elah Salam - Yemeni resident
Jamila Abdullah - School Administrator

Voice:

Abdullah Madani
Nadia Idriss Mayen