EGYPT / GIRLS EDUCATION

Thirteen-year-old Yusriya Al Fikry is only in the forth grade, but she is catching up quickly. Al-Soulieman School supported by UNICEF aims to integrate girls like Yusriya into the education system. UNICEF

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:01:51
• Production Date: 12 August 2010
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND - UNICEF
• Subject Topical: EDUCATION; WOMEN'S RIGHTS; HUMAN RIGHTS
• Geographic Subject: EGYPT
• MAMS Id: U100812d

Description

STORY: EGYPT / GIRLS EDUCATION
TRT: 1:51
SOURCE: UNICEF
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ARABIC / NATS

DATELINE: 25 OCTOBER 2009; ABU TEEG, EGYPT

Shotlist

1. Wide shot, Abu Teeg
2. Wide shot, Man and ox pulling cart
3. Wide shot, men pushing cart with wood
4. Med shot, women looking out their doorway
5. Wide shot, girl with dog in field
6. Med shot, women in kitchen
7. Pan left, women and children in home eating
8. Various shots, Yusriya Al Fikry walking to school
9. Wide shot, teacher counting students outside school
10. Tilt up, Yusriya placing nametags on wall
11. Various shots, children in child-friendly classroom
12. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Yusriya Al-Fikry, 13-year old student:
“I didn’t know how to read before and I was really sad when I saw other kids going to school and I questioned why I couldn’t go with them.”
13. Various shots, children in classroom
14. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Yusriya Al-Fikry, 13-year old student:
“Education is enjoyable and all children should be able to have an education because without it there is no life.”
15. Wide shot, Yusriya jumping rope
16. Various shots, children in classroom
17. Close up, Yusriya smiling

Storyline

In Abu Teeg, life hasn’t changed much over time. People live as they have for generations and according to the same customs.It is still common practice for women to ask permission to leave their houses and it is forbidden for women to own land.

Nearly all women over the age of 15 in this area are uneducated and spend their days at home. But the future of girls is changing.

Small child-friendly schools are opening their doors and Abu Teeg’s younger girls are eagerly flocking to them.

Yusriya Al Fikry is one of them. At 13 years of age, she is just in fourth grade. But she catching up quickly and is often the first to arrive in the mornings.

Al-Soulieman School a one room child-friendly learning environment supported by UNICEF. It is designed with the objective of integrating girls like Yusriya into the education system.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Yusriya Al-Fikry, 13-year old student:
“I didn’t know how to read before and I was really sad when I saw other kids going to school and I questioned why I couldn’t go with them.”

Field specialists visit the girls homes to encourage the parents to allow them to attend. The child-friendly school promotes gender equality and give all students the opportunity to voice their thoughts and opinions.

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Yusriya Al-Fikry, 13-year old student:
“Education is enjoyable and all children should be able to have an education because without it there is no life.”

Yusriya plans to be a doctor. Not only is she hopeful, but she is confident that she will get there. And the first challenge has already been overcome, being able to go to school.