Dars, described by the UN as a “learning lifeline” for children barred from school in Afghanistan, supports learning for children who cannot access education…
In line with its commitment to providing vital services to audiences in crisis, the BBC World Service is bringing its educational programme, Dars or ‘lesson’– which was described by the United Nations as a “learning lifeline” for children in Afghanistan – to the Middle East and North Africa through Dars Arabic, a new programme by BBC News Arabic.
At least 30 million children are out of school in the Middle East and North Africa, many have been displaced by conflict and crises in Sudan, Yemen and Gaza, which have severely affected access to education. Dars Arabic aims to connect these children facing immense barriers to an education with learning.
Fiona Crack, Deputy Global Director BBC News:
“Hearing from our Dari and Pashto speaking audiences about the difference Dars has made to their lives has been very humbling over the last two years. In line with the BBC World Service’s commitment to inform and educate audiences across the globe, we’re thrilled to launch a similar educational opportunity with Dars in Arabic. While it can’t replace going to school, we hope it will help spark curiosity and a love of learning for our youngest audience members and their families.’
Dars Arabic utilises the content and expertise of BBC Education to offer children aged 11-16 lessons in Maths, English, Science and Geography at varying skillsets. Each week, the programme also shares inspirational stories about young people overcoming obstacles, positive news stories on climate, tech, health and more, and bespoke mental health lessons.
These mental health lessons are short, animated films, produced in consultation with expert conflict psychologists to provide young people with the tools needed to understand their emotions and improve their wellbeing. Topics covered include coping with bereavement, adjusting to displacement and change, managing stress, and finding hope during challenging times.
The animated films are available across Dars Arabic broadcasts on BBC News Arabic TV and digital platforms, as well as internationally through broadcasts across the BBC World Service’s 41 language services and in English on the World Service YouTube channel.
Dars first launched in 2023 on BBC News Pashto and Dari, it brings learning to Afghan children who are not able to go to school. Girls aged 11-16 have been restricted from accessing education in Afghanistan since 2021. Dars is hosted by female BBC journalists, many of whom were evacuated from Kabul in 2021 after the Taliban’s return to power. Dars Arabic provides an offering specific to children across the Arabic-speaking world. The 30 minute episodes launch on BBC News Arabic TV, digital platforms and lifeline radio services in Gaza and Syria from Sunday 9 February.
The programme is broadcast from the BBC Bureau in Cairo by a team of young presenters from across the region and its English lessons are presented by BBC News Arabic correspondents Hanan Razek and Yasmine Abukhadra.
“BBC News Arabic TV airs new episodes of Dars Arabic weekly on Sundays at 05:30 GMT (07:30 EET) and is repeated at 10:05 GMT (12:05 EET) and throughout the week. Dars Arabic is also available on BBC News Arabic’s digital platforms, including BBC News Arabic YouTube, and through BBC News Arabic’s lifeline radio services in Gaza and Syria, available on medium wave and FM.” – BBC
