Education Helps Displaced Children in Pakistan

Chris Niles: Although his life has been turned upside down by the
recent conflict, ten year old Ikram Ullah has one thing to
look forward to, his lessons. He and his two sisters are
attending the UNICEF-supported Chota Lahore Camp
School in Pakistan’s Northwest Frontier province.

The family has been driven out of their homes in Buner
District.

Ikram Ullah: Over there we could not go to school. Here there is no
bombing. Here we aren’t scared. We like studying and
now we come to school happily.

Chris Niles: Nearly 900 students are enrolled at the primary school
which is one of 32 that UNICEF has set up in camps for
the displaced.

Haseena Begum: UNICEF is providing special assistance and is giving
books and stationery to these children. We are ensuring
that the children’s education does not suffer and they
complete their academic year.

Chris Niles: The numbers of displaced people are increasing daily,
and so is the demand for schooling. UNICEF is trying to
find new spaces to house temporary schools.

Shandana Aurangzeb Durrani: The majority of those who have been displaced by the
conflict have been women and children Many of these
children have been heavily traumatized by their
experiences and their daily life routine has been totally
disrupted.

Chris Niles: School is one of the best ways to ensure that children in
conflict do not suffer more than necessary. UNICEF is
focused on making sure that a child’s right to receive an
education is not disrupted, no matter what the
circumstances of their lives.

This is Chris Niles reporting for UNICEF Television,
Unite for Children.