Syrian woman transforms Byzantine castle into school - in pictures

Ancient building has been turned into a makeshift school for internally displaced children

Pupils attend a class inside a Byzantine castle that has been transformed into a makeshift school for internally displaced children, in the opposition-held Idlib region of Syria. All photos: Reuters

Najlaa Mimar, a history graduate, has set up the makeshift school.

Pupils are mainly children aged 4-5 and a few others who have been forced by the continuing war to drop out of school.

Pupils outside the school building.

Ms Mimar herself was displaced by the continuing war in Syria.

A teacher helps a pupil to write on a board during a lesson.

Ms Mimar runs the school with the help of other women volunteers.

Pupils walk outside the school.

The main aim of the school is to make up for classes that pupils have missed because of the war.

Ms Mimar says the school does not receive financial support and has limited resources.

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