Whole generation deprived of schooling, a war crime

After occupying Sere-kaniye by the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries in 2019 and their arrival to the outskirts of Zargan district, and their occupation of 25 villages out of 60 villages belonging to the district, 41 schools out of 81 became out of service, in addition to the schools that are located on the frontlines because of almost daily shelling by the occupier and its mercenaries.

Despite of difficulties and attacks, Directorate of Education in Al-Hasakah Canton secured all the requirements at the beginning of the new academic year and renovated a number of schools in the district and its countryside.

Turkish occupation and its mercenaries of the so-called "Syrian National Army" deliberately target vital facilities in the district, with the aim of displacing the remaining residents and occupying the rest of the villages.

Tal al-Ward school 4 km, south of Zargan, was subjected to heavy bombardment several times by Turkey and its mercenaries on the 5th and 14th of last August, The bombing caused a lot of material damage to the school, which made is completely out of service, in addition to the Rabea’at School 2 km south of the district and Al-Arada School.

On August 17, the center of Zargan district was subject to violent bombardment by Turkish occupation forces and its mercenaries in which a woman and a child lost their lives, and the injury of dozens of civilians, and heavy damages to homes and infrastructure in the district.

Suleiman Saleh, Co-chair of Schools Administration in Zargan district, said:  "the bombing had bad effect in the beginning, that many students couldn't attend schools as a result of their displacement from their homes and villages, but with insistence they returned to their seats."

He added, "The educational process was going well before the arrival of Turkish occupation mercenaries to the outskirts of the district and the occupation of Sere-kaniye and Gire Spi."

Saleh indicated that an entire generation would be deprived of schooling if threats and attacks of Turkey on NES continue, "Turkish attacks and their movement on the frontlines constitute a source of concern and fear for students and negatively affect them.

Recently, Turkish occupation army intensified its reinforcements on the frontlines with Zargan district, after threats made by Turkish officials to launch a new military operation in the region.

Saleh held human rights and humanitarian organizations responsible for the Turkish crimes that affect the educational process in Zargan, and condemned their silence, stressing the need to put an end to the occupation and its mercenaries.

According to statistics, number of students in Zargan was 7,500 students, while now it is about  4,500 students.

Sh-S

ANHA