Many primary school children in Yemen are subject to different kinds of violence, despite warnings from several child-related groups working to end violence against children.

The Shawthb Foundation for Childhood and Development last year reported 100 cases of violence against school children. Maryam Al-Shawafi, the foundation’s executive manager, said, "There are many instances of violence against children in schools."

She said the foundation has programs focusing on combating violence against children, adding that they also take part in signing human rights agreements.  

Al-Shawafi said the 100 instances of violence against children were registered in six schools the foundation is in charge of. She said there is a special room called the Social Protection Room, where school principals assemble with sociologists and talk about these cases. The principals are trained and know about special children’s rights provisions.

Dr. Salah Al-Jumaei, a psychologist at Sana'a University, said children are liable to violence due to the stress some teachers experience, in addition to overcrowded classes.

"The teacher could suffer from social or financial hardships, which make him act violently with children,” Al-Jumaei said. “The child may also be aggressive and treat his or her classmates aggressively; this provokes the teacher's violence. At the end of the day, the blame should not lie with the child as they’re still immature."

Warning against the impact of violence on school children,  Al-Jumaei said there are many negative outcomes from child abuse, including drop outs, absenteeism, failure to study and other negative behavior affecting other students. The child in this situation is insecure and could start to behave abnormally, particularly in the absence of a fully functioning family.

He stressed the importance of distancing children from film violence and said discord in the family could drive children to be violent as well.

Ali Qaed Al-Riashi, head of the Surveillance and Inspection department in the Education Office, spoke about preemptive procedures to limit this phenomenon.

"Elementary age children should be kept separate from adults so they’re not subjected to violence. The department issued a ban on the use of corporal punishment against school children."

When violence is exercised against children, Al-Riashi said, "We call for teachers to be attentive; to investigate and know about problems. Teachers can be dismissed.One teacher was fired last year; the principal of Al-Wahda school beat a pupil violently. He was fired by the Education District before bringing the issue to court."