Saleh, 40, resides in the Al-Mukha district of Taiz. He makes a living as a fishmonger in the market and occasionally works as a construction labourer. In the afternoons, he devotes his time to teaching the children in his community.
Incentives to address teacher shortages
Teaching in Yemen
Saleh enjoys making a difference in the lives of his students, helping them learn to read and write in Arabic. Being a teacher in Yemen can be challenging, particularly when it comes to earning enough to support a family. However, for those passionate about education, teaching is still incredibly rewarding. Across the country, many teachers do not hold a bachelor's degree, and in most cases, a secondary school certificate is enough to qualify for a teaching job.
“Since the conflict broke out in 2015, children in public schools have not received a proper education,” Saleh explains. “Many teachers have left their positions to seek alternative income sources. To address this, I first created a dedicated space where I could teach children from the local community, earning a small fee from their guardians while providing them with quality learning."
Saleh continued this practice for several years. Last year, he joined Al-Shaheed Mohammed Ali School in Al-Mukha as a volunteer Arabic teacher.
“There are approximately 40 volunteer teachers at the school, doubling the number of regular teachers,” he says. “Before the volunteers joined the school, students could only attend one class per day. Now, with increased staffing, they can attend a full schedule of classes.”
There are no volunteer teachers for the secondary level, causing some students to drop out to seek employment. However, the number of primary students at Al-Shaheed Mohammed Ali School has grown significantly, rising from 1,100 to approximately 1,800.
Teaching in Yemen
Saleh enjoys making a difference in the lives of his students, helping them learn to read and write in Arabic. Being a teacher in Yemen can be challenging, particularly when it comes to earning enough to support a family. However, for those passionate about education, teaching is still incredibly rewarding. Across the country, many teachers do not hold a bachelor's degree, and in most cases, a secondary school certificate is enough to qualify for a teaching job.
“Since the conflict broke out in 2015, children in public schools have not received a proper education,” Saleh explains. “Many teachers have left their positions to seek alternative income sources. To address this, I first created a dedicated space where I could teach children from the local community, earning a small fee from their guardians while providing them with quality learning."
Saleh continued this practice for several years. Last year, he joined Al-Shaheed Mohammed Ali School in Al-Mukha as a volunteer Arabic teacher.
“There are approximately 40 volunteer teachers at the school, doubling the number of regular teachers,” he says. “Before the volunteers joined the school, students could only attend one class per day. Now, with increased staffing, they can attend a full schedule of classes.”
There are no volunteer teachers for the secondary level, causing some students to drop out to seek employment. However, the number of primary students at Al-Shaheed Mohammed Ali School has grown significantly, rising from 1,100 to approximately 1,800.
Incentives to empower teachers
Since 2016, more than half of Yemen's teachers and education personnel – about 190,000 people – have been forced to seek additional sources of income to support themselves and their families due to irregular pay. Over 2.2 million children are now out of school in Yemen, and about 8 million require educational support just to continue basic learning. Additionally, about 1.7 million children have been displaced, leaving them cut off from basic services.
With the support of EU Humanitarian Aid, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has been providing cash incentives to 40 volunteer teachers in Al-Shaheed Mohammed Ali School.
“The incentives we receive motivate us to work diligently,” says Saleh. “I have even stopped selling fish in the market and now focus solely on teaching. This is the case not only for me, but the incentives have encouraged other volunteer teachers to stay committed and dedicate themselves to supporting their students.”
Saleh receives a USD 50 monthly incentive, which he considers sufficient to support his family. In addition to financial support, NRC also provides volunteer teachers with training.
"We have undergone training in classroom management and other essential teaching skills, which has significantly improved our performance as teachers," Saleh explains.
He recalls that, in the past, children would leave the classroom early and had difficulty staying focused. However, with his newly acquired skills, Saleh is conducting more interactive classes, which has increased student engagement.
Saleh hopes that the incentive programme will continue, enabling them to educate children while earning a sustainable income.
“The incentives have addressed two critical needs,” he emphasises. “Firstly, they have helped address the teacher shortage, and secondly, they have provided us with an income source to support our families.”
Supporting over 230 teachers
As a member of the Yemen Displacement Response (YDR) Consortium, and with funding from EU Humanitarian Aid, NRC is supporting 233 teachers and educational staff across Yemen.
This project has significantly transformed the educational landscape for children in Al-Mukha district, particularly in Al-Shaheed Hamoud Al-Thokhain and Al-Shaheed Mohammed Ali Ibrahim schools, by making learning more accessible, engaging and inclusive.
Through trained volunteer teachers, teaching and learning kits, psychological support, and community awareness initiatives, the project has not only increased enrolment and retention rates, but also created a safe and supportive environment for learning. As a result, more children, especially girls, can now access quality education, paving the way for a brighter and more equitable future.
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