EAA Pushes for Access to Education in Conflict Zones

Doha, September 17 (QNA) - Doha-based Education Above All Foundation (EAA) is pushing to make 'Back to School' an option for children, particularly those residing in conflict-affected countries. In a media statement Wednesday, EAA Chief Executive Officer Marcio Barbosa said, "Education Above All is working to address a barrier of particular importance in the Middle East conflict and insecurity. "With the support of our partners, we are supporting the creation of safe educational environments in Syria and Iraq to put children back into classrooms which are often the only safe spaces in their lives." While students in Qatar have access to education in a safe and secure environment, not many of the 58 million children worldwide have access to education. Many such children are from Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, EAA said. Nearly half a million children in Gaza are affected by the delay of the new school year, due to the need to rehabilitate schools which were used as shelters during the conflict. According to recent UN reports, 22 schools were completely destroyed and 118 schools damaged by conflict, EAA said citing a report. The ongoing conflicts in the region have created more poverty, decreased resources and damaged infrastructure, which have been identified as significant hurdles to accessing education. According to UNHCR, an estimated 10,000 Syrian refugees, and more than 1,400 children in the Zaatari camp in Jordan, were registered at the end of 2013. Such children often have no access to education in their host country and classify as one of the main groups that are not receiving educational aid, EAA said. The Foundation's global programme Educate A Child (EAC) supports children's fundamental right to education. Founded by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, EAC has identified eight universal barriers that are hindering access to education around the world. The programme collaborates with international partners such as UNRWA, UNICEF and UNESCO. EAC aims to address these barriers via co-funded projects to aid children who are denied their basic right to primary education. EAC endeavours to provide access to quality education to 10 million out of school children by 2015-16. After just over a year, EAC, through its partners, has contributed to access for more than two million out of school children, EAA said. The Foundation celebrates its second anniversary October 17. (QNA)