"He who opens a school door, closes a prison"

Yes this famous saying from Victor Hugo, shows how much education can be important in the life of any human being.

Indeed girls and boys who learn to read, write and count will provide a better future for themselves, their families and their countries. Education, can positively affect so many different areas of life. In short, education has the power to make the world a better place.

The first time we are introduced to formal education is in school. The school years are the grounding years of one’s education, laying the foundation of a child’s development and transforming children into responsible citizens and good human beings.

Iran has long been host to the second largest refugee population in the world with a brilliant history of providing access to education to its refugees just like what it provides to its own national citizens. And UNHCR Iran – in collaboration with its various partners, namely the Ministry of Education & the Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs, also comes in to support the Government of Iran and offers a range of different services including cooperation in the building of schools & libraries; donation of books & other library equipment, smart school equipment, stationary packs & even school uniforms & provision of literacy classes; in residential areas with a high vulnerable population including refugees.

To show real recent examples of these activities, we can mention the construction of another 10 classroom elementary school at the beginning of this school year, this time in Dashte Zahmatkeshan of Kerman province and named after the prophet, Mohammad Rasoulollah. Currently around 240 smiling young boys and girls are studying at this school happy to be blessed with the opportunity to study & prepare for a brighter future ahead.

Also donation of books & library equipment to a school in Kerman city and distribution of 4792 books amongst 11 primary & guidance schools in Yazd city.

Education is indeed an investment in human capital, and it can have a great impact on the growth and development of any nation. And as we have always heard: Knowledge is power, so when you know what you can do, you can go that mile further.