BBC launches an Arab program for children in military zones

Tareq, 10, from gas, and Safa, 14 years old, live about 2,000 km away from Sudan. They have never met, but they share a harsh reality – the war has stolen their education.

“When I saw my school in ruins, deep sadness conquered me. I longed to go back to what it was ever,” Tarek told the BBC from Gaza.

“Nevertheless, I didn’t stop studying. I study at home, making sure I don’t lose a moment, so when I get back to school, I’ll be ready,” he adds.

In Sudan Safa, she dreams of becoming a heart surgeon. “I still behave to hope,” she says, but there are traumatic memories of the country’s civil war.

“The bodies were scattered everywhere, which deeply moved me and made me want to save life instead of seeing them lost.”

Tareq and Safaa are among the 30 million children who, according to the United Nations Children’s Agency UNICEF, are out of school in the Middle East and North Africa. He estimates that more than half – 16.5 million – are only in Sudan.

In response, the BBC World Service launched an Arab edition of its DARS – or lesson prize -winning education program.

Over the past year, “over 600,000 children – these are all school age in Gaza – have not received an education,” says Salem Oys, a spokesman for UNICEF.

“We see a model of how conflicts, insecurity and crises do real harm to education and learning of children,” he adds.

In Sudan, almost two years after the Civil War broke out between the army and the paramilitary forces for rapid support, millions of children live in refugee camps, where education is only available through local initiatives.

In an interview with the BBC, Sudan Ahmed Khalifa’s Minister of Education emphasizes the scale of the devastation.

“No country has been spared,” he says. “Sudan has approximately 15,000 public schools. Between 60% and 70% of these schools are completely damaged, losing their foundations, infrastructure and books.

“Even in more favorable countries, schools have suffered damage due to systematic destruction by militia.”

DARS was first launched in 2023 for children in Afghanistan, including girls in high school, with the United Nations describing it as a “study lifeline” for children who cannot attend hours.

Designed for children between the ages of 11 and 16, Dars Arabic has weekly lessons in a number of subjects, including mathematics, technology, climate and mental health.

He also presents the stories of children, such as Tarek and Safa, which, despite the war and other obstacles, are still determined to learn.

The first episode aired on Sunday, February 9, on BBC News Arabic TV. The new episodes are broadcast weekly on Sunday at 05:30 GMT (07:30 EET), with reps at 10:05 GMT (12:05 EET) and throughout the week.

The program is also available on digital platforms, including BBC News Arabic YouTube, as well as Lifeline radio stations in Gaza and Syria.