Many Arab countries have been through a string of tough wars including World War 1, World War 2, the Gulf War, the Israeli War, and Franco-Syrian War, and many others. These Wars have left a brutal mark on all aspects of life in these countries, making life tough for all the people living there.
Effect of War on Education in the Arab World:
One big area that was affected badly is education. According to the fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), which aims to ensure that everyone gets a fair shot of education and lifelong learning opportunities. The following map tracks how many kids were going to school in the Arab countries from 1960 until today.
Analyzing this data:
Education was in short supply from the get-go in 1960. It wasn’t until 1971 that we saw a slow increase in the number of kids going to primary school in some countries. But, it’s important to note that in other places, the numbers stayed way too low. This shows that even though things got a bit better in some spots, there are still serious challenges in making sure every kid gets a good education.
This bar graph indicates a notable pattern concerning primary school enrollment. Rather than having a consistent upward pattern or stable change, the data reflects an oscillation, characterized by fluctuating values each year. It is important to note that the decrease in enrollment coincides with periods of conflict and war in the Arab world, specifically during 1982, 1984, 1990, 1995, 2006, 2010, 2015…These periods represent the war struggles that these Arab countries were witnessing. This correlation highlights the impact of war on educational accessibility.
War in Syria
Syria has a long history of war. It played a role in the Arab-Israeli conflict, participating in the Six-Day War in 1967, and the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Additionally, Syria was also involved in the Lebanese Civil War from 1975 to 1990 as part of the broader regional dynamics.
The most recent and prolonged war is the Syrian Civil War, which began in March 2011 and involved various internal and external factors contributing to these challenges. Due to this significant crisis, millions of Syrians were displaced internally, and others were refugees in neighboring countries and beyond.
Effect of War on Education
The war in Syria has had a bad impact on education. Many schools have been damaged, and ongoing violence has forced closures. Countless students, both internally displaced and refugees, face difficulties continuing their education. Host countries were under pressure in their educational systems because they had to deal with an unexpectedly large arrival of refugees. Students’ educational experiences were disrupted by the conflict, which had a huge impact on their current and future opportunities.
The presented line chart shows the average enrollment trends in pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools over the years.
The pre-primary line chart indicates low enrollment, remaining below 10 students throughout the observed period, which emphasizes challenges in early education access.
The secondary school enrollment line exhibits moderate fluctuations, ranging between 30 and 77 students over the years suggesting the varying levels of access or interest over the years.
The primary school enrollment line stands out with higher average numbers, consistently surpassing 81 students and reaching a peak of 128. These high and more stable enrollment values reflect a more robust foundation in the primary education system.
The three areas witnessed notable and dramatic decreases following the Syrian Civil War highlighting the huge impact of the War on education.
Looking at just primary education tells a powerful story. Even though primary schools consistently had a lot of students, showing how important they are, the graph takes a heartbreaking turn after the Syrian Civil War in 2011. Schools were destroyed, people lost their lives, and families had to leave their homes – some inside Syria and others in different countries. The numbers on the graph don’t just represent students; they tell a story of how the war shook the very foundation of education in Syria. The sharp drop in primary school enrollment is like a reflection of the tough times people went through. It’s not just about rebuilding schools; it’s about rebuilding the support systems and hope that education brings.
Government Expenditure
This line graph illustrates the percentage of government expenditure allocated to primary education in Syria over the years. In 1972, the commitment to primary education stood at 41%, reflecting an investment in this foundational aspect of the educational system. This dedication continued to rise, reaching its maximum at 48% in 1989, indicative of a sustained prioritization of primary education during that period.
However, the subsequent years after 1989 witnessed a notable shift, marked by a huge decrease in expenditure. This decrease in government expenditure on primary education aligns with the broader challenges faced by the country during this period. Conflicts have a significant impact on financing priorities, making it difficult to continue providing the same amount of cash for education.
The Power of External Support
External support, particularly through Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), plays a major role in reducing the educational challenges that people who are affected by war are facing. NGOs often step in to provide vital assistance, especially for displaced children, ensuring they have access to necessary educational resources.
In the context of the Syrian conflict, NGOs have been supporting children who have been forced to leave their homes. These organizations work tirelessly to address the educational needs of displaced children in the countries they seek refuge in.
Example: GHATA schools in Lebanon
Zooming in on Lebanon, an initiative that resembles the impact of external support is the Ghata School. This project is a collaborative effort between the American University of Beirut (AUB) Center of Civic Engagement and Community Service (CCECS) and Kayany Foundation.
The Ghata School exemplifies the power of partnerships between academic institutions and NGOs in providing comprehensive educational support. Through this initiative, Syrian refugees in Lebanon receive not only access to accredited education but also benefit from several digital and soft skills, vocational training, as well as health care.
This shows that due to the help of external support, out-of-school children can join schools for accredited education and improved mental and educational well-being.
Africa is a land of vibrant cultures, mesmerizing landscapes, and remarkable wildlife. A land with endless variety that also faces countless difficulties.
If I were to inquire about the primary cause of mortality among young people in Africa, one might naturally assume it to be linked to issues such as armed conflicts or prevalent diseases. However, surprisingly, the statistics present a different reality that demands immediate attention. Contrary to assumptions, the urgent concern lies elsewhere: traffic-related incidents.
Given the perception that Africa has relatively lower traffic volume and fewer vehicles in comparison to other regions, it might be presumed that traffic accidents are not a significant cause for alarm.
However, According to the World Health Organization1, road accidents are the leading cause of death for people aged 5-29 worldwide. Low & middle-income countries, account for more than 90% of these deaths. Africa alone is accounting for a staggering 20% of the global total even though it has only 3% of the world’s vehicles 2.
>> The Looming Crisis
As we can see in the graph below based on the World Development Indicators 3, Africa has the highest mortality by traffic in the world, Especially SUB-Saharan Africa with around 27 deaths per 100,000 population, compared to the global average of 16.5 deaths per 100,000 population.
This is a serious problem that requires immediate attention. So, what is causing these alarming statistics, and how can we stop it?
Traffic fatalities have become a major public health crisis in Africa, affecting the entire continent. The loss of life is significant, and it has profound social and economic effects. Lives are lost, families are devastated, and communities lose valuable members. However, there are solutions to this crisis. We need to understand and address the root causes.
>> The Power of Education
One of the factors that may explain this problem is the low level of education in the region, which affects the skills and knowledge of drivers, pedestrians, and road users. Education is widely recognized as a key determinant of human development and well-being, as well as a driver of economic growth and social cohesion. However, many African countries still face significant challenges in providing quality and inclusive education for all their citizens.
Below graph shows the % of Population with Educational attainment, at least Bachelor’s degree for people aged +25 years old.
Of all regions, Africa has the highest rates of education exclusion with an average of 3% only. This issue affects drivers and pedestrians alike, shaping their behaviours and safety measures on the road.
Education, or lack thereof, directly influences an individual’s driving behaviour, risk perception, and compliance with traffic rules and regulations. A lack of education diminishes the cognitive skills necessary for safe driving – such as decision making, hazard perception, and situational awareness – and reduces the likelihood of adhering to traffic laws.
As a result, the region experiences a lower life expectancy compared to other parts of the world.
The below graph illustrates this result, where African life expectancy is only ~ 54 years .
>> A Source of Hope
Investing in education can be the remedy for Africa’s traffic fatality crisis. Education is a powerful tool for increasing awareness of road safety and developing human potential. It provides individuals with knowledge, improves cognitive skills, and promotes a culture of safety.
Education has the potential to bring about broader change. It can improve access to quality education for everyone, especially vulnerable groups like women and children.
African countries should increase public spending on education to improve the quality and access of education for all.
This must ensure as well that the resources are used efficiently and effectively to improve the quality and access of education for all.
We can see in the below chart about Government expenditure on education (% of Gov. exp.) that many African countries are increasing their spending on education recently, which will help reduce the mortality by traffic.
>> The Road Ahead
Through education, we can equip individuals with the necessary skills and awareness to navigate roads safely. Initiatives such as specialized safety classes, more driving schools, and regular car inspections can all contribute to this cause.
There is ample evidence supporting the effectiveness of this approach. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, for example, has seen a consistent decrease in traffic fatalities due to higher levels of education and awareness.
Traffic Mortality decreased from a peak of 21.9 to 16.3 per 100,000 population and it is showing high Life Expectancy of 68.3 years on average which is close to Latin America and East Asia Pacific.
This can be considered as a great model for Sub-Saharan Africa to follow.
>> Taking Action
We conclude our journey by emphasizing the transformative power of education. It is evident that education plays a pivotal role in mitigating the alarming rates of traffic fatalities in Africa.
This is more than just a blog post; it is a strong call for change. Education saves lives, including on the roads of Africa.
Based on our research, we recommend several actionable measures to address this issue effectively. These include:
The establishment of specialized safety awareness classes
An increase in the number of driving schools
Spreading awareness for correct helmet use, seat-belts, and promoting child restraint measures.
implementing rigorous car check-ups and safety assessment programs.
implementation of reduced speed limits of 30 kilometers per hour for crowded areas.
By actively pursuing these recommendations and securing necessary funding, we can collectively address the traffic fatality crisis in Africa and demonstrate our commitment to preserving every life.
[1]: WHO – Road traffic injuries
[2]: WHO – Global status report on road safety 2018
Team: Jana Chazbeck, Olguinia El Ferzli, Josephine Kaadou, Haydar Hamdan and Rawane Ibrahim.
Note that you can watch the videos here if you faced any technical or connections issues while visiting the website:
Reinvented toilets video:
Volunteers video:
Thank You for visiting our website!
Fatou is a 27-year-old housewife. At 15 years old, she decided to quit her education to get married to the love of her life, a man 8 years older than her, who had promised her a wealthy life in which she wouldn’t worry about a thing.
A few years into her marriage, her husband wasn’t doing well financially, and she found herself financially abused by him. All the promises went into vain and she was there begging for a penny to get the most basic goods she needed. Looking at herself, she found herself with no knowledge or skills to help her stand on her feet. With no education to support her, she felt like all the doors were shut, and her only salvation was her husband, who in turn belittled her for always being dependent on him, noting that it had been himself who stopped her from being an achiever.
This is not only the story of Fatou, but also that of millions of women living in disparity because they couldn’t be self-sufficient and independent. This story is yet another example of what the SDGs tackle, like Reduced Inequalities, among others as Quality Education and Gender Equality.
The contribution of women in the society decreases early marriage, and early marriage is linked to low education.
The graph shows the countries with the highest number of women who were first married by age of 15.
The top 3 countries with the highest number of women who were early married are Niger with 37.37% , Bangladesh with 32% and Chad with 29.25%.
Moreover, 76% of girls in Niger are married before their 18th birthday and 28% are married before the age of 15. Niger has the highest prevalence of child marriage in the world and the 13th highest absolute number of women married or in a union before the age of 18 globally – 745,000.
As a result, Awareness campaigns must be done to limit early marriage, and impose laws on marriage before 18.
In the time it has taken to read this article 39 girls under the age of 18 have been married
Each year, 12 million girls are married before the age of 18
Hussaini, 14, is one of the lucky ones. He escaped. In 2018, as terrorism by extremist groups crossed into Burkina Faso, his village was attacked while he was in school. First, he heard screaming, and then gunfire. “They shot at our teachers and killed one of them,” he says. “They burned down the classrooms.” Hussaini ran home and within a matter of minutes, his family set off. They left everything behind, including school. Since that day, Hussaini has not set foot in a classroom. “I used to love school, to read, to count and to play during recess,” he says. “It’s been a year since I last went…”
From the end of 2017 to 2019, the number of schools forced to close due to rising insecurity tripled. More than 9,200 schools closed across Burkina Faso, Cameroon, and others, leaving 1.9 million children without education. These children face a much higher risk of recruitment by armed groups, gender-based violence and targeting by traffickers. Most parents in Africa will tell you that their children’s education is the most important investment they can make.
Trouble Cycle
Education is the UN’s top priority because it is a basic human right and the foundation on which to build peace and drive sustainable development. Unfortunately, lack of education for the young generation remains highly present in the world.
The problem is a cycle: lack of education results in high child labor and low literacy rate thus increasing the world’s problems such as crimes. And in its turn, terrorism decreases education opportunities. Hussaini is among millions of other children that were deprived from quality education and had high chances to be part of child labor.
Evidence
Poor basic education can be identified by high child employment rate. So, what are the target continent and countries?
The map shows that the Average Child Employment Rates (ages 7-14) is highest in Africa.
Having a deeper look, Cameroon ranks first for having the highest average child employment rate of 52.7% for years 2006-2015, followed by Niger, Benin, and Burkina Faso.
Referring to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal number 4:
What if kids will get exposed to education in early stage?
Can we influence their perception?
Fulfilling the Dream
Education cannot wait, and our world had enough. It is time to increase the number of education programs targeting young generation, and specifically African countries as previously mentioned, with Cameroon being a major target.
Creating education programs would:
Have education camps with volunteering and non volunteering teachers all around the world
Use workshops and fun trainings to later voluntarily engage kids
Involve underdeveloped countries in globalization
Introduce the diversity of cultures
Work on making education a need and will for every kid and parent- representing a lasting impact environment
Many past programs were successfully implemented in Cameroon such as Open Dreams, which already funded more than 200 scholarships and mentored more than 1000 students.
Is it Time?
Targeting Cameroon, and implementing it as a first stage project, would be a start to then expand into other countries.
Finally, from another perspective, how about looking at equalizing educational opportunities as a solution to many other issues? and working on SDG 4 for quality education will strongly and positively affect other goals such as ending poverty and hunger?
Creating education programs would:
Finally, from another perspective, how about looking at equalizing educational opportunities as a solution to many other issues? and working on SDG 4 for quality education will strongly and positively affect other goals such as ending poverty and hunger?