Egyptian 12-year-old teaches neighbours during school closure

Reem El-Khouly, a 12-year-old girl, teaches children in her neighborhood as schools remain closed during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, at Atmida village in Dakahlia province, Egypt February 7, 2021. Picture taken February 7, 2021. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

Every day up to 30 children gather for school lessons in a narrow village street in Egypt's northern Dakahlia province.

Their teacher is 12-year-old Reem El-Khouly, who started offering instruction to her younger neighbours in Atmidah, about 80 km (50 miles) northeast of Cairo, when schools across Egypt were shut due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"I thought that instead of having them play in the street, I can teach them," said Khouly.

Reem El-Khouly, a 12-year-old girl, teaches children in her neighborhood as schools remain closed during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, at Atmida village in Dakahlia province, Egypt February 7, 2021. Picture taken February 7, 2021. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

"I wake up in the morning, pray and I call them to start the classes. I teach them Arabic, mathematics, religion and English."

Khouly started using just a notebook before being given a blackboard and some chalk. Now she has a whiteboard and marker pens donated by a local company.

"Once the schools were closed, Reem started teaching us so that we don't forget what we learned at school," said Mohamed Abdel Moneim, a nine-year-old who attends the classes.

Reem El-Khouly, a 12-year-old girl, teaches children in her neighborhood as schools remain closed during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, at Atmida village in Dakahlia province, Egypt February 7, 2021. Picture taken February 7, 2021. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

"I love Miss Reem because I really understand Arabic, maths and English due to her teaching."

Khouly hopes to work as a maths teacher when she is older.

"My mum didn't encourage me in the beginning because my voice was loud, but she encouraged me when she saw how the students were interacting with me and benefiting, and told me I can do this as long as I like it," she said.

Reem El-Khouly, a 12-year-old girl, teaches children in her neighborhood as schools remain closed during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, at Atmida village in Dakahlia province, Egypt February 7, 2021. Picture taken February 7, 2021. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

(Reporting by Ahmed Fahmy; Editing by Angus MacSwan)

Reem El-Khouly, a 12-year-old girl, who teaches children in her neighborhood as schools remain closed during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, carries a board as she walks down the stairs at Atmida village in Dakahlia province, Egypt February 7, 2021. Picture taken February 7, 2021. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany