Kurdish Children Study Underground in Turkey

In Turkey, Kurdish Educators Take Their Classrooms Underground Amid Repression

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“When you open the Turkish school books, you learn about one nation, one language, and one history,” said Rana, a Kurdish educator in Diyarbakir who in fear of reprisal asked to use a pseudonym to protect her identity. “I don’t want future generations to experience this. I want the children to learn about themselves, their cultures and about various societies around the world,” she added. Rana is one of a few educators who are teaching Kurdish children in an underground, informal school system which shifts between the homes of students in Diyarbakir – keeping away from the eyes of Turkish authorities. “If the Turkish government discovers us, they can do whatever they want,” Rana said. “They could label us as terrorists and throw us in jail for years if they want to.” Complete Article HERE

ICRC-Humanitarian actors needed for education

Why Education Needs the Support of Humanitarian Actors in Conflict Zones

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The past three years have been an exciting and thought-provoking journey for the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement on the question of education. Strong momentum and commitment have been built, without shying away from critical and legitimate questions and dilemmas around how neutral, impartial and independent actors can support education meaningfully and without jeopardizing humanitarian principles. The lack of a functioning education system should not paralyze humanitarian actors. On the contrary, it should spur them into action because they are uniquely placed to respond to the urgency of ensuring the continuity of education. For girls, in particular, seizing the window of opportunity for education is crucial, because they face more and more pressures and barriers as they reach adolescence. Complete Article HERE