Photo Essay

Children start new academic year in refurbished schools in North & South Sinai and Ismailia

Students kick-off their new academic year excited by a very different experience, after their school was restored and rehabilitated with UNICEF’s support.

Karim Hamed

UNICEF/Egypt 2020

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This year, UNICEF implemented substantial rehabilitation and renovation works in schools serving the most vulnerable communities in Egypt. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF supported the Ministry of Education and Technical Education’s efforts to undertake the rehabilitation of more than 150 schools in the governorates of North and South Sinai and Ismailia, providing improved learning environments for thousands of vulnerable children in the Sinai Peninsula.

UNICEF/Egypt 2020

‘Now, going to school is one of the nicest things for me,’ said Yasmine, a student of Al Ashatie Al Wardy school.

UNICEF/Egypt 2020

“I really missed my friends and teacher at school because of the pandemic and all, but I’m even happier to sit in this beautiful classroom”, said Mohamed, a student in Mohamed Naguib Elementary School.

UNICEF/Egypt 2020

Before the refurbishment, young boys and girls such as Mohamed and Samar had to travel tens of kilometers along with their parents to reach the nearest school. Now, Mohamed and Samar to join their third-grade classroom every day.

UNICEF/Egypt 2020

“Now we are so happy that clean water is available all the time and toilets are clean, everyone is scared of the pandemic these days, but I feel secure being at school” says 12-year-old Ibrahim who is studying hard to accomplish his dream of becoming an engineer in the future.

UNICEF/Egypt 2020

The rehabilitation works included repairing and painting the damaged roofs and walls, installation of doors, windows, and fans, and rehabilitation of the power supply system and water and sanitation facilities, in addition to rehabilitating the stairs and installing ramps and handrails for children with disabilities.

UNICEF/Egypt 2020

“After the rehabilitation works, the school looks beautiful and much more appealing to children”, said Mona Abdullah, a science teacher working in one of the targeted schools. Abdullah added that “before the refurbishments we didn’t have windows in the classrooms and the students couldn’t concentrate during class, but now the school looks very impressive.”

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Children start new academic year in refurbished schools in North & South Sinai and Ismailia

Students kick-off their new academic year excited by a very different experience, after their school was restored and rehabilitated with UNICEF’s support.