Tareq, 10, from Gaza, and Safaa, 14, from Sudan, live about 2,000 km away. They never met, but they share a sharp reality – the war stole their education.
“When I saw my school in the ruins, I was overwhelmed by deep sadness. I long to come back to what she used to be,” Tareq tells BBC from Gaza.
“Despite everything, I didn’t stop learning. I study at home, making sure I’m not losing a moment, so when I get back to school, I’ll be ready,” he adds.
In Sudan Safa, he dreams of becoming a heart surgeon. “I still stick to hope,” she says, but she has traumatic memories of the civil war in the country.
“The bodies were scattered everywhere, which deeply moved me and made me save lives, instead of seeing them lost.”
Tareq and Safaa are among 30 million children who, according to UNICEF UNICEF, are united nations, outside the school in the Middle East and North Africa. Estimates that more than half – 16.5 million – in Sudan alone.
In response, BBC World Service launched an Arab edition of his award -winning educational program dars – or Lession.
Last year in Gaza, “over 600,000 children – this is all children at the Gaza school – they have not gained education,” says Saleem, a spokesman for UNICEF.
“We see a pattern of how conflicts, insecurity and crises do real damage to children’s education and learning,” he adds.
In Sudan, almost two years after the civil war broke out between the army and the power of paramilitary fast support, millions of children live in refugee camps where education is only available through local initiatives.
In an interview with the BBC, the Sudanese Minister of Education, Ahmed Khalifa, emphasizes the extent of the destruction.
“No state is spared,” he says. “Sudan has about 15,000 public schools. Between 60% and 70% of these schools is completely damaged, losing its foundations, infrastructure and books.
“Even in safer countries, schools have suffered damage due to systematic destruction by militia.”
Dars was first launched in 2023 for children in Afghanistan, including girls forbidden from high school, and the United Nations described it as a “life line” for children who are unable to attend classes.
Designed for children between the ages of 11 and 16, Dars Arabic has weekly lessons on a series of subjects, including mathematics, technology, air conditioning and mental health.
It also contains stories about children, such as Tareq and Safa, who, despite war and other obstacles, are still determined to learn.
The first episode aired on Sunday, February 9, on BBC News Arabic TV. New episodes are broadcast weekly on Sunday at 05:30 GMT (07:30 EET), with repetitions 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 Services in Gaza and Syria.
