Eastern Ghouta students: It's suicide if we leave our basements

It has been nearly five years since Syrian government forces imposed a siege on the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta. The past month has been one of the deadliest in the enclave, with more 1,200 civilians killed since the aerial and ground bombardment began on February 18. As the campaign against Eastern Ghouta continues, schools and universities have either been destroyed or shut down, leaving students with few options for continuing their education. Some have enrolled in online universities, while others have joined new, start-up medical academies to address the extreme shortage of medical staff in the area. Three students spoke to Al Jazeera about the obstacles they face as they try to continue their education in Eastern Ghouta.