Students in Houthi-controlled areas lack access to educational curricula in public schools.
Students in Houthi-Controlled Areas Face Curriculum Shortage
Students in several public schools located in Houthi-controlled regions of northern and western Yemen report a significant shortage of educational materials. Nearly a month into the new academic year, many students have yet to receive their textbooks, with some schools providing only partial supplies.
Reasons Behind the Curriculum Shortage
Students and parents express frustration over the lack of textbooks despite having paid registration and monthly fees, labeled as “community contributions.” In the city of Ibb, a high school student revealed that school officials informed them they would only receive three used books collected from private schools. Consequently, students must procure the remaining materials on their own.
Curriculum Reflects Militia Ideology
In addition to the textbook shortage, parents criticize the content of the materials provided by Houthi authorities. They argue that both public and private school curricula promote the militia’s ideology. These educational resources undermine Yemen’s national and religious identity by incorporating sectarian themes and content that supports the militia’s political agenda, straying from established national educational values.
Economic Impact on Families
Parents hold Houthi authorities accountable for declining academic performance, citing their inability to purchase textbooks from the black market due to inflated prices. Meanwhile, the militia sells books to private schools and street vendors instead of distributing them freely to public institutions. A private school director noted that education offices under Houthi control compel private schools to purchase curricula annually at undisclosed prices.
Allegations of Corruption and Student Disenfranchisement
Activists accuse Houthi authorities of exploiting textbooks as a means of illicit enrichment by selling them in the black market. Such policies deprive students of their right to free educational materials, exacerbating the economic hardships faced by families in these regions.
For more information, visit the original article on Yemen TV.
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