Palestinian Village Opens Schools Amidst Settler Violence and Blockade

Schools in the Palestinian village of Qusra have opened for the new academic year, defying an ongoing 29-day blockade affecting some residents in the Jabal Ras al-Ain area. Among those reportedly trapped are a teacher and several students. The opening comes amid persistent settler attacks and a climate of fear within the community.

Qusra Village Council head, Abd al-Azim Wadi, stated that continuing the educational process sends a message of commitment to life and the right to education despite the difficult circumstances. He confirmed that the schools commenced classes despite the risks and the blockade, emphasizing that life must go on in the face of imposed conditions. Wadi asserted that opening the schools underscores the residents' adherence to their right to life, freedom, and education.

The start of the school year was generally regular, but the prevailing blockade cast a psychological shadow over students. Wadi noted visible fear in some students' eyes, particularly concerning the isolation of students and a teacher in Jabal Ras al-Ain. He also highlighted the daily impact of continuous settler assaults, with families experiencing injuries, arrests, and fatalities from ongoing confrontations.

Regarding the curriculum, Wadi affirmed that education will proceed with the established national curriculum, unchanged by external interventions. He credited past popular protests and pressure for preserving the curriculum's integrity, ensuring the new academic year begins without alterations to its content.