In a powerful testament to resilience, Tareq, a 10-year-old from Gaza, shared the sorrow he felt upon seeing his school reduced to rubble. Lives divided by geography still resonate deeply, as he finds solace in learning at home while awaiting a return to normalcy. "When I saw my school in ruins, a deep sadness overwhelmed me," Tareq told the BBC. Similarly, in Sudan, 14-year-old Safaa harbors dreams of becoming a heart surgeon amidst the chaos of civil war. "I'm still holding on to hope," she stated recounting memories that transformed her desire to help others.
These narratives are slices of a grim statistic; according to UNICEF, approximately 30 million children remain out of school within the Middle East and North Africa, with an overwhelming 16.5 million in Sudan alone. The crisis has left educational systems devastated, particularly in Gaza, where UNICEF spokesperson Saleem Oweis reported that over 600,000 children have missed out on education this past year.
The BBC World Service is responding to this pressing need with the launch of the Arabic 'Dars' program, which was created to provide educational content during crises. Initially introduced in 2023 for Afghan children, this initiative has evolved to reach a broader audience facing similar predicaments. The program, catering to children aged 11 to 16, includes subjects like mathematics, technology, climate science, and mental health, while also highlighting the inspiring stories of children like Tareq and Safaa.
The Sudanese education minister, Ahmed Khalifa, underscored the extent of the damage, stating that 60% to 70% of Sudan's approximately 15,000 public schools have been wholly compromised. Despite these challenges, the BBC's Dars program begins new episodes weekly, radiating hope and a renewed commitment to education through various platforms, such as YouTube and regional radio broadcasts in Gaza and Syria. As the program reaches the airwaves, it stands as a potential lifeline for many children in desperate circumstances, emphasizing the necessity of learning even in the face of adversity.
These narratives are slices of a grim statistic; according to UNICEF, approximately 30 million children remain out of school within the Middle East and North Africa, with an overwhelming 16.5 million in Sudan alone. The crisis has left educational systems devastated, particularly in Gaza, where UNICEF spokesperson Saleem Oweis reported that over 600,000 children have missed out on education this past year.
The BBC World Service is responding to this pressing need with the launch of the Arabic 'Dars' program, which was created to provide educational content during crises. Initially introduced in 2023 for Afghan children, this initiative has evolved to reach a broader audience facing similar predicaments. The program, catering to children aged 11 to 16, includes subjects like mathematics, technology, climate science, and mental health, while also highlighting the inspiring stories of children like Tareq and Safaa.
The Sudanese education minister, Ahmed Khalifa, underscored the extent of the damage, stating that 60% to 70% of Sudan's approximately 15,000 public schools have been wholly compromised. Despite these challenges, the BBC's Dars program begins new episodes weekly, radiating hope and a renewed commitment to education through various platforms, such as YouTube and regional radio broadcasts in Gaza and Syria. As the program reaches the airwaves, it stands as a potential lifeline for many children in desperate circumstances, emphasizing the necessity of learning even in the face of adversity.
