13 Mar 2013

SYRIA / REMEDIAL EDUCATION

Besides going through the trauma of war, children in Syria in many cases have not been to school for two years. UNICEF is filling the gap of closed schools with remedial classes that give children the chance to get caught up. UNICEF

Posted at: March 13, 2013 12:04 pm

Duration: 02:13

Available in: SD, HD

DOWNLOAD

Full script

STORY: SYRIA / REMEDIAL EDUCATION
TRT:  2.13
SOURCE: UNICEF
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / ARABIC / NATS

DATELINE: 18-21 FEBRUARY, 2013, HOMS, SYRIA

SHOTLIST:

1. Various, children in the shelters in Homs, Syria
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) "Yasmine", 12 year old girl:
"I walk up early, wash and then go to school. I come back from school at noon, help my mother with the housework and I pray the noon prayer. Then I do my homework."
3. Various, children in school, as classes go on
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Ibrahim Farah, Education Officer, UNICEF: 
"A lot of parents who we met they are really worried about their children and at the same time they are keen to send their children to the school because they believe in Syria about the importance of education for the future of their children. That's why they are taking risks from time to time to send their children to the schools under the difficulties they face."
5. Various, children in school, as classes go on
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Ibrahim Farah, Education Officer, UNICEF:
"Number one is security for everybody I think. Children, teachers, even us. Second one is funding. We need funding to be able to continue our programme and remedial and supply which is very important now to really support back to school initiatives for children."
7. Various, children in school, as classes go on

STORYLINE:

As the conflict in Syria enters its third year, the city of Homs remains one of the most dangerous places on earth to be a child.

Many neighbourhoods in the city are uninhabitable.  This shelter is home to families who've become displaced.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) "Yasmine", 12 years old: 
"I walk up early, wash and then go to school. I come back from school at noon, help my mother with the housework and I pray the noon prayer. Then I do my homework."

As well as the massive trauma they face, these children's scholastic careers are suffering.

Some haven't been in school for two years.

UNICEF is filling the gap with remedial classes that give children the chance to get caught up. A grammar lesson enables them to sense a part of normal life amidst chaos.

SOUNDBITE (English) Ibrahim Farah, Education Officer, UNICEF: 
"A lot of parents who we met they are really worried about their children and at the same time they are keen to send their children to the school because they believe in Syria about the importance of education for the future of their children. That's why they are taking risks from time to time to send their children to the schools under the difficulties they face."

More than four thousand children are attending remedial classes in 14 shelters like this one around the city. Classrooms are crowded. And the schools operate in two, or even three, shifts a day.

The challenges are enormous.

SOUNDBITE (English) Ibrahim Farah, Education Officer, UNICEF: 
"Number one is security for everybody I think. Children, teachers, even us. Second one is funding. We need funding to be able to continue our programme and remedial and supply which is very important now to really support back to school initiatives for children."

It may seem like a small change in lives torn apart by years of conflict. But school gives children structure and a sense of purpose. It enables them to be productive and to keep planning for their futures.