One year after the Gaza war, Palestinian authorities are urgently working to restore education amidst unprecedented challenges, according to a senior official. The most critical situation is in Gaza, where an e-learning program was launched in September, and efforts are ongoing to hold face-to-face classes to compensate for a lost academic year. Around 90 percent of Gazans have been displaced, leading to 625,000 school-age children missing their education.
The ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza, combined with settler violence in the West Bank and strict checkpoints, has created significant obstacles to returning to regular schooling. Palestinian Minister of Education Amjad Barham highlighted the destruction of numerous educational facilities, noting that more than 280 out of 448 public schools in Gaza have been destroyed. The situation is further complicated by a shortage of learning materials, making it difficult to provide students with essential resources like tablets, laptops, and books.
Despite these challenges, there are ongoing efforts to keep education alive. Children are studying in streets and camps, determined not to lose another academic year. Temporary schools and makeshift teaching centers within camps are being established as a temporary solution.
Schools run by UNRWA, the UN agency that educates about 50 percent of Gaza’s children, are also under threat. Many of these schools have been destroyed during the conflict, adding to the already dire situation.
In the West Bank, settler violence has targeted schools, making education even more difficult. In areas under Israeli control, students face further obstacles, including heightened restrictions at checkpoints, which have disrupted their ability to attend classes. Despite these challenges, Palestinian authorities continue their efforts to provide education to affected children, striving to overcome the barriers imposed by the conflict.
