Every child has the right to learn
For children affected by conflict, restoring education is restoring their future
Every child has the right to learn in peace. Yet for children affected by conflict, that right is often shattered, as trauma and damaged school infrastructure disrupt their education. The northern Ethiopia conflict forced millions of children out of school and left many classrooms in ruins. To restore access to learning and renew hope for the future, UNICEF, with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is rebuilding schools in close partnership with communities in the Amhara and Tigray regions.
As schools reopen in Negash, in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, children are returning to newly built classrooms and a renewed sense of normalcy. Among them is Mahider, a bright Grade 6 student, whose story reflects both the challenges of the past and the promise of recovery.
Mahider, 14, follows her math lesson attentively as her teacher explains techniques for calculating fractions. After working through a few examples, the teacher invites students to solve problems on the blackboard in front of the class.
Confident and eager, Mahider proudly shares her learning with her classmates. She enjoys studying alongside her friends in a safe, newly built classroom, an opportunity that would not have been possible just a few years ago.
During the conflict in northern Ethiopia in 2022, children at Negash Primary School faced immense hardship. Schools were closed for over two years, and many families fled their homes in search of safety. As one of the hardest-hit areas, Negash became an especially difficult place for children and families to live and learn.
“We were so worried about what would happen. It was a very difficult time,” Mahider recalls.
As signs of peace emerge in Negash, so do efforts to rebuild schools. UNICEF, supported by JICA, is restoring essential school infrastructure, including classrooms, latrines, and dedicated spaces where adolescent girls can manage their menstrual hygiene with dignity. So far, 17 schools in the conflict-affected regions of Tigray and Amhara have been rehabilitated and furnished, with six more supported through additional funding from the Global Partnership for Education, complementing JICA’s contribution.
The reconstruction effort is led by the community itself, including elders, religious leaders, women, and Parent-Teacher Student Association representatives, who closely monitor how resources are used. A nine-member core committee works alongside school management, overseeing construction while also supporting initiatives such as accelerated learning programmes to help children recover lost time in the classroom.
Back home after class, Mahider helps her younger sister with her studies and supports her mother with household chores.
“My sister is a clever student and only needs a little guidance. I am happy to support her,” says Mahider.
Mahider also spends time with her father, helping care for their two cows. Her father, who serves on the school parents’ committee, takes pride in seeing his daughters thrive in school.
Today, Mahider is back in school, learning in peace and dignity as she heals from the trauma of conflict. Surrounded by new classrooms, committed teachers, and strong community support, she believes the future will be brighter for her and other students at Negash Primary School.
