Challenges:
* Conflict and Displacement: The ongoing war has caused widespread destruction of schools, displacement of teachers and students, and disruption of the academic calendar. Many schools are unusable due to damage or occupation, forcing children to miss education entirely. Internally displaced children are especially vulnerable.
* Funding Shortages: The conflict has severely crippled the Yemeni economy, leading to a drastic reduction in funding for education. This results in a lack of resources, including textbooks, qualified teachers, and school infrastructure.
* Teacher Shortages and Training: Many teachers have fled the country, been killed, or are unable to work due to insecurity. Those remaining often lack adequate training and resources.
* Gender Inequality: Girls' access to education is particularly limited, particularly in rural areas and conflict zones. Cultural barriers, child marriage, and security concerns contribute to lower enrollment and higher dropout rates for girls.
* Poverty: Poverty forces many children, especially boys, to work instead of attending school.
* Lack of Infrastructure: Many schools lack basic necessities like clean water, sanitation facilities, and electricity.
* Curriculum Issues: The curriculum may not be relevant to the needs of the current generation, lacking skills needed for the job market.
Structure (pre-conflict):
Before the intensification of the conflict, Yemen had a formal education system structured similarly to other countries, with primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. However, even then, access and quality varied significantly across regions and socio-economic groups.
Current Status:
The situation is constantly evolving and difficult to assess comprehensively due to the ongoing conflict and lack of reliable data. However, it's safe to say that the education system is severely weakened, with millions of children out of school and facing a lost generation. International organizations are working to provide emergency education and support, but the challenges are immense.
In short, education in Yemen is far from ideal and faces an uphill battle to recover from the devastating impact of the conflict and related issues. The need for substantial investment and international support to rebuild the education sector is critical.