Israeli Policies Undermine Palestinian Education, Report Claims
A new report by the "Citizen Rights Association" details how a combination of severe economic hardship, Israeli movement restrictions, military operations, settler violence, and school demolitions are systematically undermining the education of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian children in the West Bank. The report, "Without Regular Schooling: Impinging on Palestinian Children's Right to Education in the West Bank," states that over 600,000 Palestinian students in the West Bank are receiving only two days of in-person schooling per week.
This disruption is creating significant educational gaps, with children struggling with basic literacy and a declining motivation to learn. Some students are forced to work alongside their studies, while others, like a first-grader in the Ramallah area, are not mastering fundamental skills. The report highlights that approximately 70% of students in one Ramallah school now work part-time due to reduced schooling, affecting over 50,000 teachers and 813,000 students across the West Bank.
The dire financial situation of the Palestinian Authority is a major contributing factor. Israel's monthly deductions from tax revenues collected on behalf of the PA have increased by over 50% since October 2023, significantly impacting the PA's budget. This financial strain has led to delayed and partial salary payments for teachers, resulting in frequent strikes and school closures. In January 2026, nearly half of West Bank schools temporarily closed due to teacher strikes.
Beyond economic factors, physical obstacles impede access to education. As of April 2026, 925 barriers and movement impediments were documented in the West Bank. In Hebron's H2 area, students were forced to travel over three kilometers and pass through a checkpoint to reach schools that were previously a short walk away, leading some to abandon their education. During the 2024-2025 academic year, 2,040 incidents of violence or military operations impacted education, affecting 541 schools and nearly 85,000 students.
Settler violence also poses a significant threat, with documented attacks on students and teachers, school break-ins, and vandalism of educational facilities. In September 2024, settlers assaulted teachers at an East Ramallah elementary school. Two schools in the Jordan Valley were demolished by settlers in 2026 after residents were displaced. Furthermore, 84 schools in the West Bank and Jerusalem were under demolition orders as of August 2026, with 54 facing complete demolition, affecting approximately 13,000 students.
The report argues that Israel, as the occupying power, retains responsibility for ensuring the right to education, regardless of the PA's administrative role. The Citizen Rights Association calls on Israel to cease actions that undermine the Palestinian economy, disrupt education, and to contribute to rehabilitating infrastructure, acknowledging its responsibility for damages caused by its policies. Reut Shaer, the report's author, emphasized that the harm to children is lifelong, impacting their future opportunities and development.
