200,000 Yemenis provided with catch-up classes ahead of exams: UNICEF

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) announced on Friday that out of the 1.8 million children whose education has been interrupted by the Yemeni conflict, over 200,000 are being provided with catch-up classes to ensure that children don't completely miss out on their education.

Designed for students enrolled in grades 9 to 12, these classes are especially important as students are scheduled to pass national exams in mid-August to obtain their Basic or Secondary School Certificates.

"Giving Yemen's children an education is crucial for their own futures as well as those of their families and communities," said UNICEF representative in Yemen Julien Harneis, urging the parties to the conflict to respect the safety of schools so as to "give children a chance to learn."

UNICEF indicated that over 3,600 schools have had to close because of months of bombardments and street fighting, while 248 schools have been directly damaged.

The UN Children's Fund also reported that a further 270 schools are being used to host Internally Displaced People (IDPs), and that 68 are occupied by armed groups.

A UNICEF spokesman indicated that "there is a clear desire from both parents and children to continue with education," in a country where the net school enrolment stood at 79 percent prior to the conflict that started in March this year.

To support families and students who have been affected by the crisis, UNICEF is providing teaching and learning resources, as well as school materials such as notebooks, pencils and school bags as many families are unable to afford basic school supplies.

According to UNICEF, 365 children have been killed and a further 484 injured between March 26 and July 16 as a result of the protracted war. Endit