Intertribal conflict, educational development and education crisis in Yemen: A call for saving education

Abstract

The current political conflict and economic crisis have impacted all aspects of life in Yemen, especially intertribal conflict, which plays a significant role in hindering educational development. In this study, we measure the impact of this conflict on the educational infrastructure, students and teachers' behaviour, and educational development as perceived by students, teachers and administrators. We collected data from 384 respondents: 162 teachers, 163 students and 59 administrative staff in the Aden and Taiz governorates. We also conducted 18 structured interviews with stakeholders from local authorities. The results indicate that: (1) educational infrastructure in Yemen has changed from a poor to a damaged status because of the intertribal conflict; (2) educational development in Yemen is going backward because of the current political conflict and economic crisis; (3) violence being exercised during this conflict has transferred to high school students, teachers and administration staff; and (4) the educational infrastructure is either bombed and attacked by the Arab (international) coalition or used as military bases by the different parties of the conflict.