Education is a fundamental right for all young people, and it is our collective duty to safeguard it.
By August 2024, over 10,600 children and 400 teachers had lost their lives due to military actions, with more than 15,300 students and 2,400 teachers injured. Hundreds of thousands of children have been displaced, now living in shelters.
Satellite analysis has shown that more than 90% of schools have been damaged, many beyond repair. Since August, temporary educational programs have reached around 8,000 children, but the ongoing disruption has severely impacted learning, which had already been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The loss of schooling, totaling 14 months so far, has significantly worsened "learning poverty"—the number of children unable to read by age 10—by at least 20 percentage points. The true impact is likely higher due to the broader consequences of the war on both children and teachers.
The report highlights the psychological trauma affecting children, many of whom have lived under severe conditions for years. The ongoing conflict has left young people in Gaza with diminishing hope, as education—central to restoring stability—has been severely disrupted.
The study also notes that more than 10 children per day have lost limbs since the conflict began, and many more now face invisible disabilities. These challenges add further strain to an education system already struggling to support children with special needs.
Continuous trauma is reshaping children’s worldviews, with some now questioning core values such as equality and human rights. A generation is growing up in the shadow of conflict, and it may take decades to heal the psychological scars.
Teachers and counselors, deeply affected by the violence and displacement, are struggling to continue their work. Their emotional and physical well-being will play a critical role in future reconstruction efforts.
