Higher education challenges in Yemen: Discourses on English teacher education

•The analysis of the discourses of Yemeni teacher educators and administrators revealed challenges related to higher education in Yemen.•The participants underscored socio-political dimensions that impeded progress in English teacher education in Yemen.•Yemeni teacher educators called for social justice and recognition by university administrators.•The study findings highlighted the need for systemic change in higher education in Yemen.

We investigated Yemen's higher education challenges by focusing on the English teacher education program. Interpretative analysis of policy statements and interviews revealed several factors that are hindering the quality of the program. Deeply aware of the socio-political dimensions impeding progress, the university lecturers shared convoluted visions for improving higher education and, in reflecting on the mission and realities of their program, voiced their quest for social justice and recognition by university administrators. The administrators acknowledged key problems in teacher education, but proposed no specific corrective measures. The findings highlight the urgent need for systemic change in Yemeni higher education.