Some 800,000 children missing out on education because of post-election fighting
DAKAR (AlertNet) - Some 800,000 children in Ivory Coast have missed out on school since the outbreak of violence following last year's disputed presidential election.
In the western regions of Moyen Cavally and 18 Montagnes, where fresh fighting erupted on Tuesday, some 180,000 children are losing out on their education and most teachers have been absent since November.
"We know from experience that when children’s education is disrupted in a situation like this, they are less likely to go back to school once the crisis is over," said Guy Cave, Ivory Coast country director for Save the Children.
"We are talking about a massive disruption to children's right to education. It is really important that we get children back into school as soon as possible."
More than 80,000 people have been uprooted by clashes between supporters of incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo and his rival Alassane Ouattara, who is internationally recognised as the election winner.
Nearly 45,000 of those who have fled their homes have sought safety in Liberia. But aid groups say the thousands of children who have crossed into Liberia cannot attend school there because of language and curriculum differences.
The repercussions of the turmoil on children’s education were outlined by the United Nations on Thursday following a nine-day assessment mission across the West African country.
The assessment, carried out with other aid groups operating in the country, revealed that education has even been disrupted in the centre and east of the country where basic services are still functional.
Simmering political tensions among secondary and college students supporting different sides in the deadlock have led to fights. About 4,000 students have seen their books, schoolbags and other study materials destroyed by fellow students.
"I’ve been really frustrated to not be able to go to school," one girl in Abengourou in eastern Ivory Coast told Save the Children. "We had restarted classes again on February 1st in the morning - but then people came and chased us out of class, I don’t know why. I was so happy to be able to go back to school and to see my friends."
Teachers in some areas have been encouraged not to attend their classes in protest at the post-electoral crisis. Others have abandoned their posts out of fear for their safety, the agency said.
Save the Children says education is essential for protecting children during and after conflict. It helps increase stability and reduces the risk of countries spiralling into poverty and back into conflict.
YELLOW FEVER
The instability across the country is also affecting children’s health.
It is estimated that half the country's health workers are not at their posts, according to the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF). And in the western regions up to 90 percent of medical staff are not at work – some have fled and others are worried for their safety.
Outbreaks of yellow fever and measles have killed dozens of people in Ivory Coast since November forcing the World Health Organisation and UNICEF to launch vaccination campaigns.
A shortage of essential medicines, the break-down of equipment to store medical supplies such as vaccines and a lack of disease surveillance have raised fears of further health crises, particularly in the west of the country, the United Nations said.
Aid agencies are also concerned that the instability may lead to food insecurity particularly in areas where people have been displaced.
"The impact of the post electoral crisis on civilian populations is severe and goes beyond displacement," Ndolamb Ngokwey, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator in the Ivory Coast, said in a statement.
"I call on all the concerned parties to spare the vital sectors of health, food security, nutrition and education of the consequences of the crisis."
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