Children in Gaza return to school after years without formal education | BBC News

Key Concepts

• Educational Disruption: The severe impact of conflict on access to education in Gaza.
• Makeshift Schools: The establishment of temporary learning environments due to widespread school damage.
• Psychosocial Support: The critical need for mental health resources for children affected by trauma.
• Supply Shortages: The lack of essential educational materials entering Gaza.
• Resilience & Hope: The unwavering commitment of Palestinian families to education despite adversity.

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Return to Learning Amidst Devastation

Children in Gaza are returning to school after a two-year interruption to their education, a period marked by conflict, fear, and loss. The situation is dire, with UNICEF reporting that over 97% of schools in Gaza have sustained damage or been completely destroyed. Despite ongoing challenges including hunger, displacement, and continued Israeli bombardment – even after the ceasefire – Palestinian families are prioritizing education for their children. The return to learning is framed not as a return to normalcy, but as a fragile step towards a potential future.

Makeshift Learning Environments & Operational Challenges

The learning environment itself is drastically altered. Many schools are no longer functional buildings, but rather makeshift facilities constructed from tarps and tents, as exemplified by the school in Rattal. This school, run by UNICEF, attempts to serve both children from the original classrooms and those displaced by the war. Classes operate on a rotating three-shift system to accommodate the large number of children affected, but tens of thousands remain without access to any education. Rattal, a former student, highlights the loss of a consistent learning schedule ("Now it's every other day") and the crucial elements missing from the educational experience: “Before we were in a proper school building and we used to study every day. Now it's every other day. The thing I miss most about school before is my teachers, my friends, and the education.”

Critical Resource Deficiencies

A significant obstacle to effective education is the severe shortage of essential supplies. UNICEF emphasizes the lack of basic materials: “Education supplies have not been prioritized to enter the Gaza Strip. So I'm what I'm talking about is paper, notebooks, pens, erasers, rulers.” Beyond these basics, there is a critical need for mental health and psychosocial support resources, specifically “toy kits that can be used to do mental health activities and recreational activities with the children.” These supplies are currently blocked from entering Gaza. Attempts to obtain a response from the Israeli Prime Minister’s office regarding these restrictions were unsuccessful, with an Israeli security official initially directing inquiries there.

Continued Conflict & the Value of Education

Even with the ceasefire in place, the report notes that Israeli bombardment of Gaza continues, occurring almost daily in response to alleged Hamas violations of the agreement. This ongoing instability underscores the precariousness of the situation. Despite the surrounding devastation, the report emphasizes the profound value Palestinians place on education. A key perspective is articulated as: “Education, there is no debate that it is the foundation of our lives as Palestinians. It is our capital in this life. We lose homes, we lose money, we lose everything. But knowledge is what we invest in our children.” This statement highlights education as a form of resilience and a crucial investment in the future, particularly given the losses experienced by these children – homes, safety, and loved ones.

A Lifeline to the Future

The report concludes by framing education as a “lifeline to a future we still dare to imagine” for the children of Gaza. The images of children attending classes in tents amidst the wreckage of Jabalia symbolize a determined effort to maintain hope and normalcy in extraordinarily difficult circumstances. Shahal, reporting for BBC News from Jerusalem, underscores the enduring belief in the power of learning despite the overwhelming challenges.