Road to recovery: How education is key to saving children of war

On September 18, Scotland's youth got to vote in a historic independence referendum that would have a massive impact on their lives and future. Sadly, children in conflict areas do not get to decide their fate and are stuck in a war zone that can cost a whole generation their future.

In an instant, lives change. Families in several conflict zones lose their homes, community, sense of security and are forced to leave everything they know behind. What's more, a generation is being robbed not just of a regular life, but of the gift of education and opportunity.

Syria is one of the world's worst conflict zones. Well into the fourth year of the crisis, the country's future seems bleak at this point, and the number of refugees seems to be growing. Thousands of Syrian Kurds crossed into Turkey just last week, fleeing persecution at the hands of the Islamic State. In July, UNICEF reported that 1,518,749 Syrian children had already been displaced prior to the recent invasion. They are now in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, Egypt and other North African countries.

“Sadly the situation is getting worse. More and more children and their families are being displaced from their homes and communities,” said Simon Ingram, UNICEF regional chief of communication in Amman, Jordan. 

Funds from all over the world are being raised in order to provide the families with basic necessities to survive such a tragic situation. However, investing in the children's education for a better future in order to rebuild a nation is equally important.

“More and More children are unable to access learning of any kind,” said Ingram. 

Due to the ongoing conflict, 2.8 million Syrian children are unable to attend school, according to a recent report conducted by Save the Children, a charity organisation.

Which is why the UNICEF's 'No Lost Generation' is a strategic project developed to invest in the children's future affected by the Syria Crisis.

“The No Lost Generation (NLG) initiative offers an opportunity to address this deepening crisis by investing in non-traditional ways of helping Syrian children (whether inside the country or living as refugees abroad) get at least the basic skills they will need for the future,” said Ingram. “NLG has helped stem the worst of the damage to Syria’s children, by creating a global movement to invest in children’s long-term futures. But much more remains to be done.”  

The NLG could be a beneficial guide to take similar initiatives in other countries affected by war.

Children of war also lose a sense of security and normality. Education is a key factor that will help them cope with the realities of their present state and instil a sense of purpose.

“That’s why UNICEF considers education to be a crucial part of a "lifesaving" package of interventions that children who have been caught up in conflict or emergencies need in order to begin their recovery,” said Ingram. “It’s the one thing that helps them regain some sense of normalcy in their lives. We’ve seen this in crises and wars all over the world."

On September 14, a UNICEF press release stated that after 50 days of conflict in Gaza during the months of July and August, almost  500,000 children headed back to school, which reinforces Ingram's message about education being a "lifesaving package" to children affected by war.

"Investing in education is an investment for the future," says June Kunugi, UNICEF-State of Palestine Special Representative, in the press release. "Without increased support and commitment to their education and protection, an entire generation in Gaza could be lost. It is our collective moral obligation to prevent this," Kunugi added.

A few days later UNICEF documented the thoughts and perspectives of the students, after the school in Gaza reopened. Ingram, who visited the school, found students had an array of mixed emotions.

According to the press release, 15-year-old Zaina Mohamed said, “The war was really hard but I’m really happy to come back to school because it’s my second home.”

During the visit, the teachers also expressed their urgency to get the school year started so they could give the children a sense of normality and incorporate recreational activities in order to take their mind off  the traumatic event the children faced.

However, not all shared the sentiment. The students also expressed their fears and the feeling of hopelessness amidst a conflict that has left them with broken spirits and shattered dreams.

“I’m so sad that I will go back to school and (not know) if some of my friends are alive or not,” said 17-year-old Hanadi Sukkar, whose schoolbooks were among the items destroyed due to the conflict. “I want to study,” sukkar said, "But I don’t have the spirit to study.”

Education is a way out for millions of children affected by war and global action needs to be taken urgently. While the ultimate goal would be a world without war, the next best thing is investing in the future of children in conflict zones to restore hope, opportunity and ultimately the prosperity of a nation.

Also Read: At least 16 children among over 40 killed in Syria air strikes: Human rights group​