Weaponizing the Yemeni Education System: The Houthis' Modifications to the Yemeni Curriculum

• In Event: The politics of education: Insights into decolonizing curriculum, governance, and social media

Proposal

The conflict in Yemen has inflicted profound devastation across all facets of Yemeni society, with the education system bearing a significant yet overlooked burden. While existing research extensively explores the humanitarian toll of the Yemeni conflict, there remains a notable gap concerning its specific impact on education, particularly regarding curriculum modifications. This study addresses this gap by examining the Houthi militia's manipulation of the Yemeni K-12 curriculum to propagate their ideological agenda. Drawing on insights from Lashuel (2022) and Sidq (2022) we analyze how the Houthi militia, entrenched in Northern Yemen and the capital, has systematically infused their vision through religious, sectarian, cultural, and ideological modifications into the curriculum. We analyzed specific examples of such modifications and how such modifications represent a threat to Yemeni students and national and international security. We contend that these modifications not only deepen societal divisions but also foster the emergence of a new generation susceptible to extremist ideologies, posing long-term risks to Yemen's stability and peace.

Authors

• Nasr Fadhel Abdullah Abdo, Columbia University

• Mohammed Ali Atbuosh Awadh