Iran’s children return to school under the shadow of war | US-Israel war on Iran News
Minab Elementary School Remains in Ruins Following Bombing During U.S.-Israel War
MINAB, Iran — The Shajareh-ye Tayyebeh Elementary School, which was devastated by an airstrike on the initial day of the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, now stands in ruins nearly three months later. The attack on February 28 resulted in the deaths of 120 children and 35 adults.
While a new building has been constructed to replace the wreckage, school days remain significantly abbreviated. Students return for only brief periods, marked by the sound of the school bell signaling the start of the academic year.
Since the conflict began, online learning has been implemented as the primary mode of education. However, students in southern provinces, including Minab, will continue online classes for the first two weeks of the school year due to ongoing concerns about renewed airstrikes.
The fear stemming from the bombing is still manifest in the community, highlighted by the harrowing incidents surrounding the attack. Schools across Iran were closed as U.S. and Israeli jets launched surprise air raids when the war commenced.
On that fateful day, students at Shajareh-ye Tayyebeh were in the process of evacuation when the double-tap bombing occurred. As parents sought to reach their children, many faced traffic congestion and abandoned their vehicles to traverse the streets on foot in search of safety.
Meysam, a father of an 11-year-old in Tehran, articulated the anxiety that grips many parents: “I can’t shake the fear that if the war starts again, it will take a long time to get to school and pick up my child.” He, like other parents who shared their thoughts, requested anonymity for security reasons.
Another parent, Hossein, reflected on lingering memories while dropping his child off at school: “Today, too, I thought about the possibility of another missile strike.”
Faramarz, a 39-year-old teacher from Minab, shared his tragic loss, recounting the deaths of his wife and one child in the attack. “We were a family of four whose life was intertwined with the school. Half of this family is gone now,” he said, expressing the profound impact on his life.
In light of the ongoing conflict, the Iranian Ministry of Education reported that 1,288 schools suffered damage during the war, with many undergoing repairs or reconstruction. The ministry intends to incorporate a “Sacrifice and Martyrdom Bell” into the curriculum to educate students about the recent wars’ repercussions on Iran.
To improve preparedness for potential future conflicts, the Education Ministry has bolstered its online learning infrastructure. Concerns, however, persist among educators and parents regarding the effects of prolonged online education.
Amir, a high school teacher, noted that four of the previous school year’s nine months were conducted virtually. He expressed concern about the adverse impact on student-teacher relationships and the establishment of essential routines. “We are planning our lessons to include group activities, but we are also aware that the situation could force us back online,” he said.
Zeinab, an elementary school teacher in Tehran, acknowledged the challenges presented by the environment. “It is very difficult to maintain focus in class when fighter jets are heard overhead,” she said, emphasizing the concern for students lacking internet access if education shifts back to online formats.
On the first day of school, a video featured a student from Shajareh-ye Tayyebeh expressing his sorrow over the absence of friends who were lost. “I’m not happy that I can no longer see my close friends,” he stated, underscoring the ongoing emotional toll on the children of Minab.
