Yemens Children Drop Out of School Due to Conflict and Poverty

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Millions of Yemeni Children Out of School Due to Conflict

Sanaa, Yemen - A 14-year-old boy named Qasim rises early every morning to collect plastic bottles. He hopes to fill his sack by 11:30am and earn up to 1,500 Yemeni riyal, approximately $3. The money helps support his six-member family’s daily living expenses.

Qasim’s brother, Asem, also collects bottles in the afternoon, selling them at night to cover dinner costs. Both brothers have stopped attending school due to the ongoing conflict between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed government. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 3.2 million school-aged children in Yemen are out of school, and 1.5 million displaced children are at risk of permanent school dropout.

The conflict has led to widespread unemployment among graduates, with some parents viewing education as a luxury they cannot afford. Qasim’s father, Abdu, says he does not regret seeing his children work instead of studying, citing the need for basic necessities. However, others argue that this approach may harm their children’s prospects in the long run.

The war has also led to significant economic losses, with Yemen’s Minister of Planning and International Cooperation estimating losses exceeding $250 billion. Unemployment rates have risen to 35 percent, making it difficult for graduates to find employment. Experts warn that parents who prioritize work over education may be inadvertently harming their children’s future prospects.

In Taiz, an academic noted that “difficult living conditions force parents to send their children to work in any job, as long as it provides for their basic needs.” This approach may not address the underlying issues and could have long-term consequences for Yemen’s youth.

Source: Al Jazeera