Education Amidst Conflict

Knowledge is power. Information is liberating’, these words of Kofi Anan, echo the very spirit and hope education holds to foster empathy and a moral compass, for all. As a human right, it assures the promotion of equality and inclusion. But foremost it ensures that every child has access to learning; transcending socio-economic barriers and providing equal growth opportunities irrespective of nationality, race, creed or gender. However, when education is in grave danger, it creates profound challenges. It becomes a barrier, harming a child's natural curiosity and robbing them of their opportunities to have a safer, more prosperous life. This is a grave problem thatchildren in conflict zones face. They are compromised and more often denied their inherent right to education. To receive it in any form during grim conditions of constant violence, brutality and political instability is very important. Moreover, amidst the rampant attacks and demolition of schools and colleges, displacement, increased scrutiny at checkpoints and harassment by soldiers and settlers, education becomes an elusive privilege for many.

One such place is the hallowed lands of Israel-occupied Palestine, encompassing the Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and the West Bank, where in the harshest of the decade-long conflict, a dark shadow regarding education looms over the smallest and the most vulnerable section, the children. The Palestinians, for generations, have faced violence and struggled for autonomy for their own land at the hands of Israel. Amidst these catastrophic times, the value of education is unfathomable, as it becomes a guiding force for the people and a gateway towards empowerment. During these times, it goes beyond imparting knowledge, it symbolises defiance and determination.

Importance

During times of instability, education allows people to learn about themselves and the environment around them, despite volatile conditions. It guarantees stability in their lives and momentarily provides them with a distraction from all the problems, ensuring physical and psychological well-being.

During such deafening times, it also helps develop better relations and empathy between the people. Moreover, it also serves as the best defence against exploitation and gender-based violence.

It mainly works as a catalyst for children, helping them overcome, if not eliminate, their challenges. Along with literacy, they also learn practical knowledge, such as first aids, self-defence, and problem-solving abilities. Peace and conflict-sensitive education play a pivotal role here. These skills and values further play a critical role in the reconstruction of their society.

Unconventional Approaches

The conflict has had a negative impact on the previous education system. A lot of schools and colleges have been bombed and/or demolished leading to their closure or they're being used to shelter people and there is no predictability about the reopening of these educational institutions. Today, as their pathway towards learning has been destroyed, various National and International Organisations, civil societies and NGOs have taken numerous steps by partnering up with local institutions to provide education as quickly as possible through unconventional unofficial approaches like make-shift classrooms, and digital education.

Mobile classrooms are also very common, wherein the local teachers find safe spaces to provide education in the conflict zones. Community-based learning centres are present at safe distances and act as hubs to provide the necessary knowledge, basic literacy, numeracy and vocational training to the dispersed people of all ages. Technology has also been of paramount importance during the conflict by ensuring continued learning opportunities wherever the internet is accessible. Along with radio programmes which are being used to broadcast educational content for children who cannot attend school. Due to the harsh environment and its adverse psychological impact, the NGOs attempt to provide the necessary support, especially to the children and aim to emotionally support them by providing counselling to those who have experienced displacement, vandalism or death of either a parent or a loved one.

The conflict conditions vary from one country to another but the children always become the easier target and suffer the most, be it Afghanistan, South Sudan or Syria. If we compare the access to education in Palestine with a country like Afghanistan, the access to it differs greatly. While the former faces no access due to the targeted demolition of educational institutions, the latter with a better political condition is disrupting primary education and is practising gender apartheid by restricting women’s movement, playing sports and working opportunities. The harshest of them all is the restriction on young girls accessing education beyond the sixth grade, which is usually the time they start puberty. They've also banned foreign NGOs from providing any form of education, which is estimated to affect almost 500 thousand students among which 300 thousand are girls. Even after this, the girls continue to show determination to study in underground schools or watch videos online, specifically designed for the Afghan girls. The shared hunger to study in both the Palestinian and Afghani students shows the transforming power education holds.

Society and education are deeply linked. Education is lost in conflict, which leads to dire aftermaths whereby the children lack the abilities needed to participate in their community's development. Without access to education, marginalised youths are prone to antisocial activities which leaves them vulnerable to manipulation, brainwashing and hate crimes, thereby burdening the society and bringing no positive change. Without education, the children can grow up as adults without individual development and a loss to society. To avoid this, it is crucial to emphasise on providing quality education and what its benefits are. A better understanding of the situation due to education can lead to a reduction in conflict due to better understanding, tolerance and resolution skills. With this, any society can break the cycle of poverty and not only empower themselves but also the generations to come and also make it easier for them to have a more stable future.