Millions of Children in Yemen Deprived of Education Amid a Prolonged Decade-Long Crisis

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that more than 3.7 million children in Yemen are currently out of school, warning that nearly half of them are of secondary school age—jeopardizing the future of an entire generation of Yemeni youth.

In a recent statement, UNICEF said the ongoing conflict, economic deterioration, and collapse of the country’s educational infrastructure have directly contributed to the widespread denial of children’s fundamental right to education.

The organization noted that thousands of schools across Yemen have either been destroyed or rendered unusable, while many others face severe shortages of teachers and educational materials. Some school buildings, it added, are being used as shelters for displaced families or have been repurposed for military use.

UNICEF stressed that the continuation of these conditions could lead to a long-term educational catastrophe, calling for urgent support to Yemen’s education sector and ensuring that children have access to safe, quality schooling—an essential step toward rebuilding their futures and the future of the nation.