In war-torn Yemen, a devastating educational crisis is unfolding as millions of children are being forced to abandon their studies, with basic survival now taking precedence over classroom learning.
Years of relentless conflict have created conditions where families must make impossible choices between sending children to school or ensuring they have enough food and safety. The result is a generation growing up without access to formal education, with long-term consequences for both individual futures and the country's recovery prospects.
"When you're worried about whether your family will eat today or whether your home will be bombed tomorrow, education becomes a luxury you simply cannot afford," explained one humanitarian worker familiar with the situation.
The educational collapse affects both boys and girls across Yemen, though girls face additional barriers including early marriage and cultural restrictions that further limit their access to learning opportunities. Many schools have been damaged or destroyed in the fighting, while those still operating often lack basic supplies, qualified teachers, and safe environments for students.
International organizations warn that without immediate intervention to protect educational infrastructure and support vulnerable families, Yemen risks creating a permanent underclass of uneducated youth ill-equipped to rebuild their country once peace eventually returns.