School in Yemen

Basic Education combines primary education in Grades 1 to 6 with lower or preparatory education in Grades 7 to 9. Secondary education covers Grades 10 to 12. Schools may be public, private, girls-only, boys-only, Basic-only, secondary-only or combined Basic and secondary schools. A national equivalent of a separate special-education school system cannot be established reliably. Current inclusion efforts mainly adapt support and special-needs teaching within regular schools. The Ministry of Education, governorate and district education offices, and individual schools share responsibility for education. The internationally recognized government and the authorities controlling Sana'a operate parallel systems, so curricula, school calendars, teacher payments and available resources can differ by area. Local conditions also change with security, displacement, damaged buildings and the availability of teaching staff. Children commonly begin Grade 1 at about age six. Registration may require a birth certificate, a photograph, an immunization card and previous school or transfer records. Registration periods and school starts are set through the relevant education authorities. For example, an Aden-area calendar for 2024/25 scheduled registration from 5 August 2024 and classes from 18 August 2024. Yemen has no reliably verified nationwide catchment-area or school-choice rule, and access may instead depend on distance, safety, available places, damaged or incomplete buildings and double-shift schedules. Basic Education is legally free, compulsory and non-discriminatory under the General Education Law of 1992. Enforcement remains weak because of conflict, poverty, displacement, child labour, early marriage and school damage. The 2022–23 household survey reported net attendance of about 75% in Basic Education and 34% in secondary education, while early-childhood attendance was about 1% among children aged 36 to 59 months. Estimates of children aged 5 to 17 who are out of school range from about 3.7 million to approximately 4.5 million, depending on the source and reporting period. Attendance and dropout conditions differ sharply between locations. The state curriculum covers Arabic, Quranic and Islamic studies, mathematics, natural sciences, social studies, history, geography and national education. English is generally introduced from at least Grade 7 through Grade 12, although the exact starting point and materials vary by authority and curriculum version. Teaching is mainly in Arabic. Outdated or dense materials, textbook shortages, teacher shortages, irregular or unpaid teacher work, double shifts and shortened school years reduce learning time. One education estimate places annual instruction at about 350 hours compared with a 750-hour standard. Literacy, numeracy, teacher training, educational supervision and recruitment of female teachers are among the reform priorities for 2025–2030. Schools use class and transfer examinations. The Education Research and Development Center assesses Arabic, science and mathematics in Grades 4 to 6, and national examinations take place at the end of Grade 9 and Grade 12. The General Directorate of Examinations manages examinations, results, certificate validation and equivalence procedures for public and private schools. At the end of Grade 9, students can receive the Basic Education Certificate. Grade 12 leads to the General Secondary Certificate. Its science and humanities tracks are called علمي and أدبي. The science track is generally associated with later study in science and engineering, while the humanities track is associated with humanities subjects. A pass rate, such as the reported 2021/22 rates of 86% for Basic Education and 90% for secondary education, does not by itself demonstrate learning quality. Public Basic Education has no statutory tuition fee, but families may still pay for books, learning materials, uniforms, transport, private tutoring and the opportunity cost of attendance. Kindergarten materials in public provision may be supplied without charge, while private kindergartens usually charge fees. Private schools and private kindergartens charge tuition, and school meals are not consistently available nationwide. Support is usually project- and area-specific rather than a universal entitlement. Programs may provide school meals, school bags, learning materials, water and sanitation facilities, school grants, building rehabilitation, teacher incentives, accelerated learning, basic literacy and numeracy support, remedial teaching, distance learning or self-learning materials. In 2024, UNICEF reported rehabilitation or construction at 1,171 schools, improved access for more than 454,700 children and monthly incentives for more than 44,870 teachers. Support measures commonly prioritize girls, rural children, displaced children, children in poverty, children with disabilities and other marginalized groups. Separate sanitation facilities, safer learning spaces, girls’ schools, female teachers and adapted teaching materials can reduce barriers, but distance, insecurity, poverty and inaccessible buildings continue to restrict attendance. The Basic Education Certificate usually supports the transition to secondary education, and the General Secondary Certificate can support admission to tertiary education under the applicable requirements. Higher education, vocational education outside the formal school system, continuing education and childcare without a recognized school-education function belong to separate areas.