**In response to the ongoing crises in Gaza and Sudan, the BBC World Service has launched its Arabic educational program, Dars, to provide vital lessons to children deprived of traditional schooling.**
**BBC Introduces Educational Initiative for Children in Conflict Zones**
**BBC Introduces Educational Initiative for Children in Conflict Zones**
**New program aims to bridge educational gaps for war-affected youth.**
"When I saw my school in ruins, a deep sadness overwhelmed me," reflects Tareq, a 10-year-old Palestinian from Gaza. While he and Safaa, a 14-year-old girl from Sudan, live nearly 2,000 kilometers apart, they share a common plight: the devastation brought by war that has shattered their education.
Despite the destruction around him, Tareq remains committed to learning. "I study at home, ensuring I’m prepared for when I can return to school," he explains to the BBC. Meanwhile, Safaa, who aspires to become a heart surgeon, holds onto hope amidst harrowing memories of Sudan's civil war. "Bodies were scattered everywhere," she recounted, adding that these images spurred her desire to save lives instead of witnessing their loss.
According to the United Nations children’s agency Unicef, approximately 30 million children in the Middle East and North Africa are currently out of school due to conflict, with over 16.5 million of those impacted residing in Sudan alone. "More than 600,000 children in Gaza have missed education this past year," notes Saleem Oweis, a Unicef spokesperson.
The devastation is further detailed by Sudan's education minister, Ahmed Khalifa, who states that up to 70% of Sudan's public schools have been severely damaged, making traditional education increasingly inaccessible. In lieu of formal schooling, education in refugee camps relies heavily on sporadic local initiatives.
In light of these alarming statistics, the BBC World Service has launched an Arabic edition of its well-regarded educational program, Dars, which originally began in Afghanistan to support students barred from attending school. This new edition is tailored for children aged 11 to 16 and will cover subjects ranging from mathematics and technology to climate awareness and mental health.
Each episode features the stories of resilient children like Tareq and Safaa, who strive to maintain their education amid chaos. The pilot episode aired on Sunday, February 9, with new episodes set to be broadcast weekly on BBC News Arabic TV, supplemented by availability on digital platforms, including YouTube, and radio services in Gaza and Syria.
