On April 6, air strikes hit many important places in Iran. One of the biggest strikes was at Sharif University of Technology in Tehran. The conflict has caused big changes to the daily lives of students in Iran and the condition of the local environment.
UNICEF says since the start of the year, education in Iran has faced many major challenges. Reports from organizations show that over 750 schools have been damaged or destroyed due to the ongoing fighting. On April 6, air strikes hit several locations in major cities, including areas near university campuses and schools.
Sophomore Haya Elzubier said, “The schools and houses are being bombed and ruined, and they could be affecting so many childhoods and many careers. Kids can’t go to college and get a job and could stay poor.”
For safety reasons, many schools stopped teaching in person. Students try to continue their learning using online platforms, but it’s very difficult for them. There have been frequent power outages and damage to internet towers which usually cuts off the connection between teachers and their students. In many cities, students must spend their school hours in shelters or basements to stay safe from any future strikes.
AP News has stated that this conflict has also had an effect on the environment. The recent strikes on the oil and plants in Esfahan and Tehran have caused large fires which release heavy amounts of smoke and chemicals into the air. Scientists have observed a decrease in air quality, which makes it harder for people with breathing problems to stay outside.
Junior Prisha Bele said, “I feel like a lot of our resources are depleted, so gas money’s been really high. Many airports have shut down, and I think people should be aware that it’s really affecting the world.
To try and stop the bombing, people in Iran use peaceful protests, like chaining themselves to bridges or standing near power plants to show that they want the violence to end. While leaders discussed peace deals, this war has also made travel very difficult because many countries had to end their flights for safety. Because of the strikes, many Americans and other travelers are currently stuck in the Middle East, waiting for airports to reopen so they can finally fly home.
Relief Web states that while the fighting is on pause, the damage to the environment is being fixed. Repairing the school buildings and cleaning up the pollution in the air and water will take a long time to complete, experts say. For now, many of the students and Americans stuck in war areas are currently staying in crowded underground bomb shelters or temporary hotels with very little electricity and food while they wait for the ceasefire to make it safe enough to leave. Students are also waiting to see when it will be safe to return to their regular classrooms.
