REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, NEW YORK -- Almost two thirds of schools in the conflict-torn Central African Republic (CAR) were closed during the past six months, according to a survey published Friday by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and its partners.

"The education system is literally on its knees," said Souleymane Diabate, the UNICEF representative in the CAR. "Many teachers have not been paid for months; there are no textbooks; the little infrastructure that existed before the crisis has been damaged."

Fighting in the CAR has taken on an increasingly sectarian nature following a 2012 rebel-led coup and has since become more brutal with reports of ongoing human rights violations and reprisal clashes between largely Christian anti-balaka (anti- machete) and mostly Muslim Seleka rebels that have displaced hundreds of thousands of people both inside and outside the country, and left 2.2 million in need of humanitarian aid.

The crisis has also disrupted two school years since the end of 2012 and many families are still too scared to send their children back to classes, UNICEF noted in a news release.

The survey, carried out in February, has painted a grim picture. On average, schools have only been open for four weeks since October 2013 due to the destruction of classrooms, the slow return of teachers to posts and delayed payment of teachers' salaries.

A third of the 355 schools surveyed have been attacked in recent months -- struck by bullets, set on fire, looted or occupied by armed groups. Meanwhile, enrollment figures dropped drastically -- one in three children who were enrolled in the last school year did not return this year.

"Families, homes, stability -- so much has been taken from children during this crisis," said Diabate. "They cannot be robbed of education, their best hope for a better and more peaceful future."

UNICEF is supporting the CAR's Ministry of Education's efforts to provide school supplies, restore looted schools and offer training of teachers.

In areas where insecurity has hindered the resumption of educational activities, including the national capital Bangui, UNICEF and partners set up nearly 120 temporary learning spaces where up to 23,000 children and adolescents have the opportunity to learn, play and receive psychosocial support.

UNICEF also warned that its education programs have remained grossly underfunded. Only 3 million U.S. dollars has been received so far out of a total 10 million dollars needed to help children resume their learning.

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